CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, brain (no contrast)

Facility: North Carolina Baptist Hospital

Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 70551
  • Insurance Median: $778
  • Cash Discount Price: $1,145
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.19x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (no contrast) at North Carolina Baptist Hospital is $778. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $1,145. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $243.77, this hospital’s rate is 3.19x the Medicare baseline. Located in Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC.
Cash / Self-Pay
$1,145

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$778

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: $1,145 (470%)
Insurance Median: $778 (319%)
Cash: $1,145 (470% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $778 (319% 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 319% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 219%). 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 $234 - $1,998 96%
Apex $234 96%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $234 - $1,040 96%
Cigna $234 - $1,644 96%
Devoted $234 96%
Healthteam $234 96%
UnitedHealthcare $234 - $1,781 96%
Wellcare $234 - $538 96%
Humana $236 - $1,286 97%
Medicare (plans) $236 97%
Liberty $269 110%
Medcost $441 - $1,563 181%
Amerihealth $504 - $634 207%
Carolina Complete $504 - $531 207%
Health Blue $504 - $531 207%
Partners $504 - $531 207%
Vaya $509 - $537 209%
Alliance $514 - $542 211%
Trillium $519 - $547 213%
Ambetter / Centene $602 - $635 247%
Oscar $668 - $846 274%
Directnet $1,317 - $1,389 540%
Cone Health $1,560 - $1,646 640%
Healthgram $1,560 - $1,646 640%
First Carolina Care $1,782 - $1,881 731%
Private Healthcare Systems $1,827 - $1,928 749%
Multiplan $2,005 - $2,116 822%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC 27157
  • CMS Rating: ★★★★☆
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Private
  • Hospital Type: Acute Care Hospitals