CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, brain (no contrast)

Facility: St Louis Childrens Hospital

Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 70551
  • Insurance Median: $4,023
  • Cash Discount Price: $3,385
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 16.50x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (no contrast) at St Louis Childrens Hospital is $4,023. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $3,385. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $243.77, this hospital’s rate is 16.50x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Childrens Place, Saint Louis, MO.
Cash / Self-Pay
$3,385

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$4,023

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: $3,385 (1389%)
Insurance Median: $4,023 (1650%)
Cash: $3,385 (1389% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $4,023 (1650% 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 1650% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1550%). 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 $235 - $4,457 96%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $235 - $4,796 96%
Essence Healthcare [221] $235 96%
Humana $235 - $4,203 96%
UnitedHealthcare $235 - $4,192 96%
Cox Health [757] $247 101%
Medica [662] $247 101%
Healthlink [225] $2,736 - $4,260 1122%
Cigna $2,787 - $3,064 1143%
Consociate [478] $3,058 1254%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636] $3,058 1254%
Apwu Health Plan [216] $3,064 1257%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242] $3,064 1257%
Priority Health [648] $3,064 1257%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220] $3,103 - $4,175 1273%
Allied Benefits [498] $3,272 - $4,457 1342%
Hope Trust [806] $3,272 1342%
Healthscope Benefits [258] $3,442 - $4,514 1412%
Health Alliance [224] $3,550 1456%
Med-Pay [480] $3,667 - $4,232 1504%
Unicare [568] $3,667 - $4,260 1504%
First Health Commercial [734] $4,192 1720%
Beechstreet [551] $4,232 1736%
Detego Health [868] $4,232 1736%
Health Systems Inc [620] $4,232 1736%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609] $4,232 1736%
Multiplan Commercial [737] $4,232 1736%
Multiplan [240] $4,232 1736%
Phcs [244] $4,232 - $4,514 1736%
Preferred Health Professionals [561] $4,260 1748%
Coresource [497] $4,457 1828%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222] $4,457 1828%
Mail Handlers [495] $4,457 1828%
Medica [661] $4,514 1852%
Hfn [563] $4,796 1967%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: One Childrens Place, Saint Louis, MO 63110
  • CMS Rating: No CMS Rating
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Other
  • Hospital Type: Childrens