MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Kingman Healthcare Center
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $311
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.87x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Blue | $311 | 87% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $311 | 87% |
| Aetna | $1,278 | 359% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI of the brain (with and without contrast) at Kingman Healthcare Center in Kingman, KS, the median negotiated rate is $311.00, which aligns exactly with the lowest and highest rates reported by three payers, including Healthy Blue, Medicaid/KanCare, and Aetna. This facility, a Critical Access Hospital, charges significantly less than the typical commercial negotiated rate, which often averages 200% to 300% of the Medicare benchmark of $356.43. While the facility's cash payment median is not listed, patients with high-deductible plans should consider that paying cash upfront might be cheaper than the insurance negotiated rate if the facility offers a prompt-pay discount, which typically ranges from 20% to 50% off the billed amount.
To ensure you are receiving the best possible price, it is crucial to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Since the facility is a non-profit entity, you should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts prior to scheduling your appointment to avoid automatic claims submission that could void any cash savings. Always verify your deductible status before using insurance, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying the discounted cash price directly.