CMS Price Transparency Data
MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Lowell General Hospital
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $1,849
- Cash Discount Price: $2,761
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.19x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (with and without contrast) at Lowell General Hospital is $1,849. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $2,761. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $356.43, this hospital’s rate is 5.19x the Medicare baseline. Located in 295 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA.
Cash / Self-Pay
$2,761
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Insurance Median
$1,849
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Medicare Reference Rate
$356.43
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Medicare Reference Baseline: $356.43 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $2,761 (775%)
Insurance Median: $1,849 (519%)
Cash: $2,761 (775% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $1,849 (519% of 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 519% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 419%). 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.
Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $250 | 70% |
| Meritain [100063] | $250 | 70% |
| Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare [100241] | $454 | 127% |
| Health Plans Inc [100262] | $454 | 127% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $454 - $2,456 | 127% |
| Tufts Health Public Plan Connectorcare [100264] | $587 | 165% |
| Blue Benefits Administrators [100267] | $704 | 198% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $704 | 198% |
| Tufts Health Plan [100263] | $1,131 - $1,520 | 317% |
| Wellpoint [100139] | $1,327 | 372% |
| Allied Benefit Systems [100015] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Allied National Global Care [100107] | $1,380 | 387% |
| American Postal Workers [100089] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Amerihealth Caritas Nh [350007] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Assurant [100020] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Avmed Health Plan [100247] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Care One [950007] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Carecentrix Alternate [100257] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Compsych [100027] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Coresource [100285] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Coverage Discovery [100306] | $1,380 | 387% |
| D'Youville Senior Care [950003] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Employee Benefit Management [100033] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Eyemed [100290] | $1,380 | 387% |
| First Health [100278] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Geha [100039] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Generic Commercial [109999] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Group And Pension Administrators [100043] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Ibew Local 103 [100272] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Lowell Comm Health Center [950009] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,380 - $3,944 | 387% |
| Medicare (plans) | $1,380 | 387% |
| Mutual Of Omaha [100074] | $1,380 | 387% |
| National Association Of Letter Carriers [100067] | $1,380 | 387% |
| National Elevator Ind Hlth Benefits [100273] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Norfolk County [500013] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Northwood Rehabilitation & Health [950004] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Nova Healthcare Administrators [100270] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Palm Manor [950005] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Plymouth County [500019] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Spectera [100291] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Sunny Acres Nursing Home [950006] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Tall Tree Administrators [100271] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Ultra Benefits [100280] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Wellsense Nh [350010] | $1,380 | 387% |
| Cigna | $1,520 - $1,972 | 426% |
| Allaracare [100163] | $1,814 | 509% |
| Wc Acadia Insurance Company [700108] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Aig [700029] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Aim Mutual Insurance [700054] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Alternative Service Concept [700065] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Ameritrust [700066] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Arrow Mutual Liability [700063] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Atlantic Charter [700064] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Berkshire Hathaway [700046] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Boston Police And Firefighter [700061] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Broadspire [700043] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Careworks [700109] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Cbcs [700110] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Ccmsi [700055] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Chubb Group [700067] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Cic/Mcmc [700068] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Boston [700111] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Cambridge [700069] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Chelsea [700070] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Everett [700071] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Lowell [700062] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Lynn [700072] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Medford [700073] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Melrose Police [700112] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Melrose [700113] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Newton [700074] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Peabody [700075] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Revere [700076] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc City Of Somerville [700077] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Cna [700048] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Commonwealth Of Mass [700056] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Consigly Construction [700079] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Constitution State Services [700114] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Continental Indemnity Co [700078] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Corvel [700115] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Cove Risk Services [700080] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Creative Risk Solutions [700081] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Crum & Forster [700082] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Demoulas Supermarket [700083] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Emc Insurance Company [700084] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Energy Of Environmental Affairs [700085] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Esis [700010] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Federated Work Comp [700012] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Future Comp [700116] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Gallagher Bassett Work Comp [700013] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Geico [700057] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Generic Workers' Comp [709999] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Gowry Group [700086] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Hartford Insurance [700058] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Hrd/Workers Compensation Unit [700087] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Liberty Mutual Work Comp [700016] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Mapfre Insurance [700089] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Mass Nahro Insurance Group Trust [700090] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Mass State Police [700091] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Mbta [700092] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Meditrol [700093] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Memic [700117] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Metlife [700094] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Miia [700095] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Ml Healthcare Services Llc [700119] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Norfolk & Dedham Group [700096] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Norguard Ins Co [700097] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc One Call Medical [700060] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Plumbers Union Local No 12 [700098] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Plymouth Rock [700099] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Pma Work Comp [700031] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Progressive Direct Insurance Co [700106] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Retail Business Services Llc [700100] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Rising Medical Solution [700101] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Sedgwick [700027] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Selective Insurance Co [700118] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Sentry [700036] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Sutter House [700102] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Town Of Andover Fire Dept [700103] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Town Of Arlington [700104] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Travelers Insurance [700059] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Us Department Of Labor [700023] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Vermont Mutual Insurance Group [700105] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc York Risk Services [700049] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Wc Zurich [700034] | $1,849 | 519% |
| Coventry [100010] | $3,116 | 874% |
| Claritev/Multiplan [100275] | $3,283 | 921% |
| Cypress Benefit Administrators [100122] | $3,283 | 921% |
| Health New England [100268] | $3,283 | 921% |
| Patient Advocates [100307] | $3,283 | 921% |
| Wellsense Clarity Connectorcare [100256] | $3,944 | 1107% |