MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $3,337
- Cash Discount Price: $1,634
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.36x 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 $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 936% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 836%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Centura Employee Plan | $543 | 152% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $737 | 207% |
| Humana | $1,307 | 367% |
| Kansas Health | $1,307 | 367% |
| Aetna | $1,307 - $3,267 | 367% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,307 - $3,406 | 367% |
| Medicare (plans) | $1,307 | 367% |
| Multiplan | $3,676 - $3,798 | 1031% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $3,839 | 1077% |
| Wppa | $3,880 | 1089% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (with and without contrast) procedure at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, KS, the cash median price is $1,634.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $4,084.00. This cash rate is notably lower than the state average for this service, making it an attractive option for patients with high-deductible plans or those who prefer to pay out-of-pocket. While the facility offers a negotiated rate of $3,337.00 for commercial payers, this amount exceeds the cash price, illustrating that insurance billing can sometimes result in higher costs than self-pay. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount, as some commercial payers like Multiplan and Health Partners Of Kansas have negotiated rates ranging from $3,676 to $3,839, which remain well above the cash median.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, 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. If you choose to use insurance, be aware that the Medicare benchmark for this service is $356.43, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for "true cost." The facility's negotiated rates average approximately 9.4 times the Medicare amount, which is higher than the typical fair pricing range of 120% to 150% of Medicare. Additionally, you may qualify for a prompt-pay discount by paying in full upfront, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% and bypass costly