CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, brain (no contrast)

Facility: Mercy Hospital Watonga, Inc

Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70551
Insurance Median: $1,650
Cash Discount Price: $1,916
vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.77x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (no contrast) at Mercy Hospital Watonga, Inc is $1,650. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $1,916. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $243.77, this hospital’s rate is 6.77x the Medicare baseline. Located in 500 North Clarence Nash Boulevard, Watonga, OK.

Cash / Self-Pay

$1,916

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$1,650

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: $1,916 (786%)

Insurance Median: $1,650 (677%)

Cash: $1,916 (786% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $1,650 (677% 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 677% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 577%). 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	$110 - $2,246	45%
Humana	$110 - $1,128	45%
Medicaid / KanCare	$110 - $884	45%
Health Choice Contracted [320166]	$665	273%
Ambetter / Centene	$884	363%
Home State Health Plan Contracted [320187]	$884	363%
Novasys Contracted [320285]	$884	363%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$1,128 - $1,768	463%
Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066]	$1,128	463%
Cross Timbers Hospice [20098]	$1,128	463%
Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106]	$1,128	463%
Elara Caring Aspire Hospice Contracted [320433]	$1,128	463%
Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433]	$1,128	463%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432]	$1,128	463%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432]	$1,128	463%
Independent Health [20197]	$1,128	463%
Indian Health Service Contracted [320198]	$1,128	463%
Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434]	$1,128	463%
Kindful Hospice [20434]	$1,128	463%
Medical Associates Health [20444]	$1,128	463%
Medicare (plans)	$1,128 - $1,650	463%
Mercy Hospice Okc [20252]	$1,128	463%
Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450]	$1,128	463%
Qual Choice Contracted [320325]	$1,128	463%
Tribute Health Plan Mcr Contracted [320338]	$1,128	463%
Tricare	$1,128	463%
UnitedHealthcare	$1,128 - $2,334	463%
Globalhealth Contracted [320145]	$1,150	472%
Cigna	$1,161 - $2,505	476%
Webtpa Contracted [320417]	$1,238	508%
Medica Contracted [320239]	$1,650	677%
Aither Health Contracted [320449]	$1,768 - $2,505	725%
Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251]	$1,768 - $2,505	725%
Quik Trip Contracted [320447]	$1,768	725%
Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483]	$1,768	725%
Benefit Management Contracted [320052]	$1,916 - $2,210	786%
Healthsmart Accel Contracted [320183]	$2,063	846%
Osma Health Contracted [320292]	$2,063	846%
Healthcare Highways Plus Contracted [320175]	$2,210	907%
Preferred Community Choice Contracted [320311]	$2,210	907%
Private Health Care Systems Contracted [320320]	$2,210 - $2,358	907%
United Medical Resources Contracted [320454]	$2,334	957%
Multiplan Contracted [320270]	$2,358 - $2,652	967%
First Health Contracted [320128]	$2,390	980%
Auxiant Contracted [320462]	$2,505	1028%
Ebms Contracted [320493]	$2,505	1028%
Healthlink Contracted [320179]	$2,505	1028%
Healthsmart Preferred Care Contracted [320184]	$2,505	1028%
Imagine 360 Contracted [320494]	$2,505	1028%
Reflect Health Contracted [320492]	$2,505	1028%
Yuzu Health Contracted [320521]	$2,505	1028%

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 $1,916.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 70551.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Mercy Hospital Watonga, Inc is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 70551.
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.