CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, brain (with and without contrast)

Facility: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70553
Insurance Median: $2,685
Cash Discount Price: $2,777
vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.53x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (with and without contrast) at Barnes Jewish Hospital is $2,685. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $2,777. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $356.43, this hospital’s rate is 7.53x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$2,777

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$2,685

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: $2,777 (779%)

Insurance Median: $2,685 (753%)

Cash: $2,777 (779% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $2,685 (753% 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 753% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 653%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance 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	$349 - $3,472	98%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$349 - $4,027	98%
Essence Healthcare [221]	$349	98%
Humana	$349 - $2,143	98%
UnitedHealthcare	$349 - $3,439	98%
Cox Health [757]	$367	103%
Devoted Health Plan [847]	$367	103%
Medica [662]	$367	103%
Cigna	$655 - $3,703	184%
Consociate [478]	$1,041	292%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$1,041	292%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$1,379	387%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$1,379	387%
Priority Health [648]	$1,379	387%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$2,190 - $3,009	614%
Healthlink [225]	$2,245 - $3,495	630%
Health Alliance [224]	$2,250	631%
Allied Benefits [498]	$2,361 - $3,439	662%
Coresource [497]	$2,361	662%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$2,361	662%
Mail Handlers [495]	$2,361	662%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$2,546 - $3,009	714%
Hope Trust [806]	$2,685	753%
Med-Pay [480]	$3,009 - $3,472	844%
Unicare [568]	$3,009 - $3,495	844%
First Health Commercial [734]	$3,439	965%
Beechstreet [551]	$3,472	974%
Detego Health [868]	$3,472	974%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$3,472	974%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$3,472	974%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$3,472	974%
Multiplan [240]	$3,472	974%
Phcs [244]	$3,472 - $3,703	974%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$3,495	981%
Medica [661]	$3,703	1039%
Hfn [563]	$3,935	1104%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $2,777.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 70553.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Barnes Jewish Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 70553.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.