CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, brain (no contrast)

Facility: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 70551
  • Insurance Median: $1,539
  • Cash Discount Price: $1,420
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.31x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (no contrast) at Barnes Jewish Hospital is $1,539. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $1,420. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $243.77, this hospital’s rate is 6.31x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO.
Cash / Self-Pay
$1,420

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$1,539

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$243.77

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $243.77 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $1,420 (583%)
Insurance Median: $1,539 (631%)
Cash: $1,420 (583% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $1,539 (631% of 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 631% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 531%). 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 $239 - $1,775 98%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $239 - $2,059 98%
Essence Healthcare [221] $239 98%
Humana $239 - $2,143 98%
UnitedHealthcare $239 - $2,190 98%
Cox Health [757] $251 103%
Devoted Health Plan [847] $251 103%
Medica [662] $251 103%
Cigna $655 - $1,894 269%
Consociate [478] $1,041 427%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636] $1,041 427%
Healthlink [225] $1,148 - $1,787 471%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220] $1,302 - $1,539 534%
Allied Benefits [498] $1,373 - $1,759 563%
Hope Trust [806] $1,373 563%
Apwu Health Plan [216] $1,379 566%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242] $1,379 566%
Priority Health [648] $1,379 566%
Healthscope Benefits [258] $1,444 - $2,190 592%
Coresource [497] $1,455 597%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222] $1,455 597%
Mail Handlers [495] $1,455 597%
Med-Pay [480] $1,539 - $1,775 631%
Unicare [568] $1,539 - $1,787 631%
First Health Commercial [734] $1,759 722%
Beechstreet [551] $1,775 728%
Detego Health [868] $1,775 728%
Health Systems Inc [620] $1,775 728%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609] $1,775 728%
Multiplan Commercial [737] $1,775 728%
Multiplan [240] $1,775 728%
Phcs [244] $1,775 - $1,894 728%
Preferred Health Professionals [561] $1,787 733%
Medica [661] $1,894 777%
Hfn [563] $2,012 825%
Health Alliance [224] $2,250 923%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO 63110
  • CMS Rating: ★★★★☆
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Other
  • Hospital Type: Acute Care Hospitals