MRI, brain (with and without contrast)
Facility: Oakleaf Surgical Hospital
Billing Code: 70553 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70553
- Insurance Median: $346
- Cash Discount Price: $3,262
- 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 $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.
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 | $346 - $3,220 | 97% |
| Dean Health Plan | $346 | 97% |
| Group Health Cooperative Of Eau Claire | $346 | 97% |
| Healthpartners | $346 | 97% |
| Humana | $346 | 97% |
| Medica | $346 | 97% |
| Quartz Health Solutions | $346 | 97% |
| Security Health Plan Of Wi | $346 - $876 | 97% |
| Ucare Wi | $346 | 97% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $346 | 97% |
| Alliance | $1,728 | 485% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
Oakleaf Surgical Hospital, located at 1000 Oakleaf Way in Altoona, Wisconsin, reports a cash median price of $3,262 for the MRI, brain (with and without contrast) procedure (CPT 70553), based on the 2026-06 vintage data. While the facility's gross charge is $3,624, the cash median remains significantly lower than the listed gross amount. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $3,262 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance coverage, particularly given that the negotiated rate for Blue Cross Blue Shield is $3,460 and the allowed amount for Alliance is $1,728. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about potential "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which could further reduce the final bill.
Regarding insurance coverage, the facility has contracts with 11 different payers, with negotiated rates ranging from a low of $346 to a high of $3,220 depending on the specific plan. The median negotiated rate across all payers is $346, which is notably lower than the cash price, though this rate often represents the insurer's allowed amount rather than the final patient responsibility. The Medicare amount for this service is $356.43, which serves as a benchmark for evaluating the facility's pricing structure. Patients should be aware that while some payers like Alliance have a fixed rate of $1,728, others such as Dean Health Plan, Healthpartners, and UnitedHealthcare have a consistent rate of $346.