CMS Price Transparency Data

MRI, brain (no contrast)

Facility: Black River Memorial Hospital

Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70551
Insurance Median: $1,753
Cash Discount Price: $3,489
vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.19x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a MRI, brain (no contrast) at Black River Memorial Hospital is $1,753. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $3,489. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $243.77, this hospital’s rate is 7.19x the Medicare baseline. Located in 711 W Adams St, Black River Falls, WI.

Cash / Self-Pay

$3,489

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$1,753

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: $3,489 (1431%)

Insurance Median: $1,753 (719%)

Cash: $3,489 (1431% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $1,753 (719% 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 719% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 619%). 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
Humana	$65 - $3,713	27%
UnitedHealthcare	$65 - $3,765	27%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$67 - $2,036	27%
Group Health Cooperative Of Eau Claire	$67 - $3,873	27%
My Choice Wisconsin, Inc.	$67 - $2,036	27%
Quartz Health Solutions, Inc	$67 - $3,634	27%
Security Health Plan	$105 - $3,729	43%
The Alliance	$105 - $3,833	43%
Multiplan	$315 - $3,953	129%
Corvel	$1,070 - $2,436	439%
Triology Health Solutions	$1,579 - $3,793	648%
Medica	$1,638 - $3,729	672%
Association Benefits Solution	$1,666 - $3,793	683%
Family Health Center Of Marshfield	$1,666 - $3,793	683%
First Health Group Corporation	$1,666 - $3,793	683%
Provider Network Of America	$1,666 - $3,793	683%
Cigna	$1,701 - $3,873	698%
Cofinity	$1,701 - $3,873	698%
Coventry Health Care	$1,701 - $3,873	698%
Custom Benefit Administrators	$1,701 - $3,873	698%
Healthpartners, Inc.	$1,701 - $3,873	698%
Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corp	$1,701 - $3,873	698%
Chorus	$1,719 - $3,913	705%

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 $3,489.
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 Black River Memorial Hospital 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.