MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $337
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.95x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $330 | 93% |
| Va | $330 | 93% |
| Vc Hope | $330 | 93% |
| Medicare (plans) | $330 - $337 | 93% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $337 - $925 | 95% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $337 | 95% |
| Aetna | $349 - $2,063 | 98% |
| Smarthealth | $462 | 130% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $561 | 157% |
| Cigna | $782 | 219% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $1,447 | 406% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the MRI, brain (with and without contrast) procedure at Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc in Wichita, KS, the negotiated rates range from $330 to $2,063 across 11 payers, with a median negotiated amount of $337.00. This facility is a Part A provider, and while specific cash or median paid values are not listed in the current data, patients should note that cash-pay options can sometimes be more affordable than insurance negotiated rates, particularly for those with high-deductible plans where the insurer's allowed amount exceeds the cash price. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs by bypassing administrative fees and claims processing delays.
When evaluating costs, it is important to compare these rates against the Medicare benchmark of $356.43, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. While the data does not provide explicit state or county average comparisons for this specific code, the wide variance in negotiated rates among payers—such as UnitedHealthcare's range of $337 to $925 versus Blue Cross Blue Shield's fixed rate of $337—highlights the impact of network tiering and contract dynamics on pricing. Consumers should avoid relying on summary bills and instead request a detailed, itemized CPT-coded statement to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies that can be corrected through a formal written audit dispute.