CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, brain (with and without contrast)

Facility: Cheshire Medical Center

Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70553
Insurance Median: $859
Cash Discount Price: $1,575
vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.41x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (with and without contrast) at Cheshire Medical Center is $859. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $1,575. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $356.43, this hospital’s rate is 2.41x the Medicare baseline. Located in 580 Court Street, Keene, NH.

Cash / Self-Pay

$1,575

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$859

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: $1,575 (442%)

Insurance Median: $859 (241%)

Cash: $1,575 (442% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $859 (241% 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 241% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 141%). 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	$108 - $6,587	30%
Ambetter / Centene	$113 - $332	32%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$113 - $7,650	32%
Cigna	$113 - $4,767	32%
Martin'S Point Generations Advantage	$113 - $373	32%
Martin'S Point Health Care	$113 - $373	32%
Mvp	$113 - $4,767	32%
UnitedHealthcare	$113 - $7,309	32%
Wellcare Health Plans	$113 - $373	32%
Wellsense Health Plan	$113 - $1,327	32%
Amerihealth Caritas Nh	$218 - $1,179	61%
Mass General Brigham Health Plan	$293 - $9,630	82%
Granite State Health Plan	$297 - $1,608	83%
Tufts Health Plan	$318 - $6,147	89%
Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Of Ne	$379 - $4,379	106%
Maine Community Health Options	$801 - $4,334	225%
First Health/Hcvm	$1,513 - $8,186	424%
Phcs	$1,602 - $8,667	449%

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 $1,575.
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 Cheshire Medical Center 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.