MRI, brain (no contrast)
Facility: Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 70551 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70551
- Insurance Median: $870
- Cash Discount Price: $2,842
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.57x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 357% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 257%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri | $870 | 357% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this MRI of the brain (no contrast) at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa, the cash median price is $2,842. This facility, a government-owned Critical Access Hospital, charges significantly more than the state average for this service, which is $1,408. While the facility's gross chargemaster rate is $3,552, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash rate more affordable than the negotiated rate of $870 paid by Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri, as the insurance allowed amount often exceeds the cash price.
To minimize financial risk, patients should verify if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these can reduce the bill by 20% to 50%. If you choose to use insurance, be aware that balance billing protections under the No Surprises Act may prevent unexpected charges for out-of-network services at this in-network facility, though emergency physicians or lab services could still trigger surprise bills if they are out-of-network. For maximum transparency, request an itemized billing audit to review specific CPT codes and ensure no unbundled charges or services not rendered are included in the final invoice.