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Brain MRA (blood vessel MRI, without contrast) at MercyOne North Iowa Medical Center

1000 4th St. SW, Mason City, IA · MercyOne · · NPI 1467537886

Source: hospital's published price file ↗ · Published Mar 31, 2026 · Ingested Aug 3, 2026

$2,528.00

Cash price

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Discounted cash price

What a hospital charges a self-pay patient who pays directly, without going through insurance — usually well below the gross charge.

Example: A CT scan has a $3,200 gross charge but an $850 discounted cash price. Ask for it by name when scheduling — hospitals don't always advertise it up front.

Full explanation →

What you pay up front if you don't use insurance.

$1,590.00

Gross charge

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Gross charge (chargemaster price)

The hospital's full, undiscounted list price — pulled from its internal "chargemaster" price list. Almost no one actually pays this.

Example: A chest X-ray has a gross charge of $1,450. The same hospital's discounted cash price for the same X-ray is $180 — the gross charge mostly anchors negotiations, not what patients pay.

Full explanation →

The hospital's undiscounted list price — almost no one pays this.

$114.07 with MEDICARE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES HEALTH PLANS vs $1,590.00 with IOWA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH — same scan, same building. Share

Negotiated rates by payer
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Negotiated rate

The price a specific insurance plan agreed to pay the hospital for a service — it varies by insurer, and even by plan within the same insurer.

Example: The same knee MRI has a negotiated rate of $904 with one insurer's PPO plan and $1,509 with another's — identical hospital, identical scan.

Full explanation →

Payer
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Payer

The insurance company footing the bill — Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, Medicare, and so on.

Example: "Blue Cross Blue Shield" is the payer. Its negotiated rate for an MRI might be $904, while a different payer's negotiated rate for the same scan is $1,509.

Full explanation →
Plan
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Plan

The specific product an insurer sells — e.g. "Blue Cross PPO 500" — which sets your deductible, coinsurance and negotiated rates.

Example: Two people both insured by Aetna can owe very different amounts for the same MRI: $50 with an HMO plan's flat copay, or the full $1,200 toward a high-deductible PPO plan's unmet deductible.

Full explanation →
Negotiated rate vs. cash
MEDICARE MEDICAL ASSOCIATES HEALTH PLANS MEDICAL ASSOCIATES MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $114.07 ↓ -95%
AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE AETNA MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $114.07 ↓ -95%
MEDIGOLD MEDICARE ADVANTAGE MERCYONE HEALTH PLAN MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $114.07 ↓ -95%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) MEDICARE ADVANTAGE WELLMARK MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $115.21 ↓ -95%
SOUTH COUNTRY HEALTH ALLIANCE MEDICARE SOUTH COUNTRY MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $116.35 ↓ -95%
UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE UNITED HEALTHCARE MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $116.35 ↓ -95%
HEALTH PARTNERS MEDICARE ADVANTAGE UNITYPOINT HEALTH PARTNERS MEDICARE ADV $117.56 ↓ -95%
WELLPOINT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE WELLPOINT MEDICARE ADVANTAGE $118.73 ↓ -95%
CENTIVO CENTIVO $143.17 ↓ -94%
OSCAR OSCAR $153.43 ↓ -94%
AMISH HOSPITAL AID AMISH HOSPITAL AID $154.81 ↓ -94%
AMBETTER AMBETTER MARKETPLACE $195.55 ↓ -92%
IOWA TOTAL CARE IOWA TOTAL CARE MEDICAID $230.87 ↓ -91%
MOLINA MEDICAID MOLINA MEDICAID $233.13 ↓ -91%
NOVA CLAIMDOC $233.96 ↓ -91%
CLAIMDOC CLAIMDOC $233.96 ↓ -91%
WELLPOINT MEDICAID WELLPOINT MEDICAID $234.04 ↓ -91%
BLUE CROSS - WY WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - MI WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - PA (INDEPENDENCE) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - IL ALTERNATE WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - AK (PREMERA) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - CO (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE SHIELD - WA (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE SHIELD - NY HIGHMARK WESTERN WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - OK WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE SHIELD - PA (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - VT WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BCN DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - VA (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - TX WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - NH (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - KY (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - FEDERAL WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - WA (PREMERA) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - AZ WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - RI WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
PRE-EMPLOYMENT WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - NC WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - OR (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - SC WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CARE NETWORK WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - VA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - WI (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) WELLMARK HMO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - DC (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE SHIELD - NY HIGHMARK NORTHEASTERN WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - MT WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - KS WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - NY (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE SHIELD - ID (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - UT (REGENCE) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - ME (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - FL WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - GA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - LA WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - NY (EXCELLUS) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - SD (WELLMARK) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - MD (CAREFIRST) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
WC DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - CT (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - WV (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE SHIELD - CA WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - DE (HIGHMARK) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - IA (WELLMARK) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - IL WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - TN WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - AR WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - NE WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - NV (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - OH (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - MS WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - PA (CAPITAL) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE DISTINCTION TRANSPLANT WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - IN (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - MO (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - MA WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - CA (ANTHEM) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - AL WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - ND WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
KAISER DOMESTIC WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BCBS GENERIC WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - MN WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE BENEFIT ADMINISTRATORS OF MASSACHUSETTS WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - HI WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - ID WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - NJ (HORIZON) WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
BLUE CROSS - NM WELLMARK PPO $243.77 ↓ -90%
MEDICAL ASSOCIATES MEDICAL ASSOCIATES $407.04 ↓ -84%
HEALTH CHOICES MEDICAL ASSOCIATES $407.04 ↓ -84%
GEHA UNITED HEALTHCARE $525.42 ↓ -79%
UNITED HEALTHCARE UNITED HEALTHCARE $525.42 ↓ -79%
WEBTPA AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
COVENTRY AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
ALLIED BENEFIT SYSTEMS AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
LUCENT HEALTH AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
LUMINARE HEALTH AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
ASR HEALTH BENEFITS AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
CHRISTIAN BROTHER SERVICES AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
FIRST HEALTH AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
1199 NATIONAL BENEFIT FUND AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
AETNA AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
MERITAIN AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
MEDICAL MUTUAL AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
TRUSTMARK SMALL BUSINESS BENEFITS AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
AETNA DOMESTIC AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
AETNA EAP AETNA $834.75 ↓ -67%
PREFERRED ONE PREFERRED ONE $1,033.50 ↓ -59%
HEALTH PARTNERS HEALTH PARTNERS $1,063.71 ↓ -58%
MIDLANDS CHOICE MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $1,113.00 ↓ -56%
MIDLANDS MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $1,113.00 ↓ -56%
AUXIANT MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $1,113.00 ↓ -56%
MEDICA MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $1,113.00 ↓ -56%
CIGNA MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $1,113.00 ↓ -56%
CIGNA EAP MIDLANDS CHOICE PPO $1,113.00 ↓ -56%
MHNET MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATES $1,272.00 ↓ -50%
MULTIPLAN MULTIPLAN $1,431.00 ↓ -43%
CRIME VICTIM ASSISTANCE CRIME VICTIMS $1,590.00 ↓ -37%
IOWA DEPT OF PUBLIC HEALTH CARE FOR YOURSELF $1,590.00 ↓ -37%

Visitor-reported prices

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Brain MRA (blood vessel MRI, without contrast) at other Iowa hospitals

Hospital City Cash price Negotiated range
UnityPoint Health - Iowa Lutheran Hospital Des Moines $3,174.75 $52.25 – $1,166.72
UnityPoint Health - Allen Hospital Waterloo $1,377.28 $52.25 – $907.28
MercyOne Genesis Davenport West Medical Center Davenport $1,607.40 $231.38 – $323.93
MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center Dubuque $5,094.05 $15.60 – $3,635.00
MercyOne New Hampton Medical Center New Hampton $2,500.55 $1,523.03 – $3,847.00
MercyOne Clinton Medical Center Clinton $4,342.00 $219.72 – $3,792.00
MercyOne Oelwein Medical Center Oelwein $2,500.55 $1,470.32 – $3,847.00
MercyOne Cedar Falls Medical Center Cedar Falls $7,785.05 $24.00 – $1,838.19

All Iowa hospitals for this procedure →