MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Clay County Medical Center
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $147
- Cash Discount Price: $1,542
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.60x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplan- All Plans | $69 - $2,783 | 28% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $75 - $2,783 | 31% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $88 - $2,783 | 36% |
| Aetna | $144 - $2,724 | 59% |
| Wppa/Providrs Care- All Plans | $144 - $2,724 | 59% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, KS, the cash price is $1,542, which matches the facility's median paid amount. This cash rate is significantly lower than the negotiated rates charged by major payers such as Multiplan, Health Partners, and UnitedHealthcare, whose allowed amounts range from $69 to $2,783 depending on the specific plan. Because commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead and multi-layered pricing structures, the cash price can sometimes be the most affordable option for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, provided the facility offers a self-pay or prompt-pay discount.
It is important to note that while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a government-local ownership structure, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network rates vary widely across different carriers. The No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, but patients should still request an itemized bill to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. If a discrepancy arises, patients can dispute the bill in writing to avoid unexpected charges, and they should always ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts before check-in to potentially reduce their out-of-pocket costs.