MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Goodland Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $1,307
- Cash Discount Price: $1,307
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.36x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $243.77 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 536% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 436%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $526 | 216% |
| Wppa | $1,234 - $1,307 | 506% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,307 | 536% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, KS, the facility's cash median price is $1,307, which is 5.4% higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, the negotiated rates for in-network payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Wppa, and UnitedHealthcare range from $526 to $1,307. It is important to note that these negotiated rates often exceed the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures; therefore, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash median of $1,307 directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially if their deductible has not yet been met.
Before scheduling, patients should verify the specific allowed amount for their plan, as in-network rates can vary significantly even within the same facility. Since the facility offers a cash median of $1,307, it is recommended to inquire directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, because the facility is in-network, the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services rendered at this location, though patients should still review their itemized bill to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included.