CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Mercy Hospital Pittsburg, Inc
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $105
- Cash Discount Price: $1,643
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.98x 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 $106.81 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $57 - $2,149 | 53% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $57 - $104 | 53% |
| Humana | $57 - $102 | 53% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $60 - $578 | 56% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $91 - $1,704 | 85% |
| Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434] | $102 | 95% |
| Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106] | $102 | 95% |
| Tricare | $102 | 95% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432] | $102 | 95% |
| Mercy Hospice Okc [20252] | $102 | 95% |
| Cross Timbers Hospice [20098] | $102 | 95% |
| Kindful Hospice [20434] | $102 | 95% |
| Medicare (plans) | $102 - $106 | 95% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432] | $102 | 95% |
| American Health Advantage Of Ks Mcr Contracted [320508] | $102 | 95% |
| Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433] | $102 | 95% |
| Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518] | $102 | 95% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $104 | 97% |
| Home State Health Plan Contracted [320187] | $104 | 97% |
| Providrs Care Network Contracted [320484] | $197 | 184% |
| Health Choice Contracted [320166] | $292 | 273% |
| Cigna | $455 - $467 | 426% |
| Medica Contracted [320239] | $734 | 687% |
| United Medical Resources Contracted [320454] | $1,704 | 1595% |
| Imagine 360 Contracted [320494] | $2,022 | 1893% |
| Auxiant Contracted [320462] | $2,022 | 1893% |
| Aither Health Contracted [320449] | $2,022 | 1893% |
| Healthlink Contracted [320179] | $2,022 | 1893% |
| Workers Comp [20426] | $2,022 | 1893% |
| Ebms Contracted [320493] | $2,022 | 1893% |
| Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251] | $2,022 | 1893% |
| Yuzu Health Contracted [320521] | $2,022 | 1893% |
| American Healthcare Alliance Contracted [320020] | $2,022 | 1893% |
| Edison Health Solutions Contracted [320502] | $2,022 | 1893% |
| Reflect Health Contracted [320492] | $2,022 | 1893% |
| First Health Contracted [320128] | $2,149 | 2012% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70450 (CT scan, head, no contrast), Mercy Hospital Pittsburg, Inc. lists a gross charge of $2,528, though the actual cash median price is $1,643. This cash rate is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Aetna ($57–$2,149) and UnitedHealthcare ($91–$1,704), which often exceed the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash median of $1,643 directly, as this can be cheaper than the insurance negotiated rate if their deductible has not yet been met. To secure this lower price, patients should request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling, as hospitals typically offer a fee reduction of 20% to 50% for upfront payment, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.
The facility's negotiated rates vary widely across different insurers, with some contracts, such as those with Mercy Benefit Admin, fixed at $2,022, while others, like Medicaid/KanCare, range from $57 to $104. The median negotiated rate across all payers is $105, which is notably lower than the cash price, suggesting that for many insured patients, using their coverage will result in a lower out-of-pocket cost than paying cash. However, the gross charge of $2,528 serves as the baseline for potential balance billing if a patient is out-of-network, though the No Surprises Act generally protects patients from such unexpected bills for emergency care and