MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Goodland Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $2,201
- Cash Discount Price: $2,201
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.18x 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 $356.43 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 618% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 518%). 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 | 148% |
| Wppa | $2,078 - $2,200 | 583% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2,200 | 617% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the brain at Goodland Regional Medical Center, the cash median price is $2,201, which is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by major insurers like Wppa ($2,078–$2,200) and UnitedHealthcare ($2,200). This price difference highlights a common billing dynamic where commercial insurance contracts often result in higher out-of-pocket costs for patients with high deductibles, as the insurer's allowed amount exceeds the cash price. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Kansas with a government-local ownership structure, patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the cash rate upfront may be more financially advantageous than relying on insurance reimbursement that could still require significant out-of-pocket payments.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is crucial to request a full itemized bill before finalizing payment, as summary bills can obscure individual line items and potential errors. Even if your insurance covers the service, be aware that balance billing could occur if any ancillary services, such as specific lab tests or emergency physician services, are provided by out-of-network providers, though the No Surprises Act offers protections for emergency care at in-network facilities. Additionally, since the facility offers a cash median rate of $2,201, you should explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts at registration, which can further reduce your total cost by bypassing administrative fees and claims processing delays associated with insurance billing.