MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $1,142
- Cash Discount Price: $2,675
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.68x 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 468% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 368%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $131 | 54% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $610 - $1,142 | 250% |
| Tricare | $1,099 | 451% |
| Medadv_Allwell | $1,142 | 468% |
| Medadv_Uhc | $1,142 | 468% |
| Va_Ccn | $1,142 | 468% |
| Humana | $1,142 | 468% |
| Aetna | $1,142 | 468% |
| Medicare (plans) | $1,142 | 468% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,798 | 738% |
| Wppa_Providrscare | $2,961 | 1215% |
| United | $2,968 | 1218% |
| Coventry | $3,389 | 1390% |
| Cigna | $3,389 | 1390% |
| Hpk | $3,389 | 1390% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (no contrast) procedure at Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center, the facility's cash median rate of $2,675 is significantly lower than the negotiated rates charged to most major insurance payers, which range from $1,142 to $3,389 depending on the plan. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Chanute, KS, with a government-local ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial insurance contracts often result in higher out-of-pocket costs than direct cash payment. This is particularly relevant for those with high-deductible plans, as paying the cash price upfront can sometimes be more economical than the insurance negotiated rate, provided the patient has not yet met their deductible.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is highly recommended to request a full itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts at the time of scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can further lower the total cost. If you receive a balance bill from an out-of-network provider, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from paying the difference between the provider's full chargemaster rate and your insurance allowed amount for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities.