CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, brain (with and without contrast)

Facility: Mary Bridge Children's Hospital

Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70553
Insurance Median: $2,085
Cash Discount Price: $2,460
vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.85x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (with and without contrast) at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital is $2,085. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $2,460. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $356.43, this hospital’s rate is 5.85x the Medicare baseline. Located in 317 Martin Luther King Jr W Box 5299, Tacoma, WA.

Cash / Self-Pay

$2,460

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$2,085

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: $2,460 (690%)

Insurance Median: $2,085 (585%)

Cash: $2,460 (690% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $2,085 (585% 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 585% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 485%). 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
Molina	$315 - $734	88%
Community Health Plan Of Washington	$341 - $993	96%
Coordinated Care	$341	96%
UnitedHealthcare	$341 - $3,397	96%
Wellpoint	$341	96%
Aetna	$409 - $2,443	115%
Regence	$409 - $2,085	115%
Wellcare	$417	117%
Premera	$690 - $1,766	194%
Ambetter / Centene	$1,119	314%
Uniform Medical	$2,073	582%
Pacificsource	$2,229 - $2,247	625%
First Choice	$3,560 - $5,283	999%
Kaiser	$3,903	1095%
First Health	$4,374 - $5,467	1227%
Multiplan/Phcs	$4,374 - $5,467	1227%
Cigna	$4,450 - $5,706	1248%

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 $2,460.
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 Mary Bridge Children's 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.