MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Oakleaf Surgical Hospital
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $236
- Cash Discount Price: $2,005
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.97x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. 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.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $236 - $3,220 | 97% |
| Dean Health Plan | $236 | 97% |
| Group Health Cooperative Of Eau Claire | $236 | 97% |
| Healthpartners | $236 | 97% |
| Humana | $236 | 97% |
| Medica | $236 | 97% |
| Quartz Health Solutions | $236 | 97% |
| Security Health Plan Of Wi | $236 - $876 | 97% |
| Ucare Wi | $236 | 97% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $236 | 97% |
| Alliance | $1,182 | 485% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
Oakleaf Surgical Hospital in Altoona, Wisconsin, reports a cash median price of $2,005 for an MRI of the brain (no contrast), which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $2,228 and the Medicare benchmark rate of $243.77. While the hospital's cash rate is higher than the average Medicare reimbursement, it remains the lowest price point available for this procedure among the 11 payers listed, with negotiated rates ranging from $236 to $3,220 depending on the insurance plan. For patients with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum, paying the cash price of $2,005 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in higher out-of-pocket costs if the deductible is not satisfied.
It is important to note that the cash rate of $2,005 is substantially lower than the highest negotiated rates observed, such as the $3,220 maximum for Blue Cross Blue Shield, and avoids the administrative markups often associated with commercial billing cycles. To potentially lower this cost further, patients should contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% when paid in full within a short window. Additionally, patients should request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment to ensure there are no errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills typically contain discrepancies that can be corrected to reduce the total amount owed.