CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Saint John Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $174
- Cash Discount Price: $165
- 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 $179.2 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $101 | 56% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $153 - $231 | 85% |
| Healthy Blue | $156 - $174 | 87% |
| Celtic | $156 - $264 | 87% |
| Midland Care Connection | $165 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $165 | 92% |
| Tricare | $165 | 92% |
| Cigna | $165 | 92% |
| Aetna | $165 - $288 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $169 | 94% |
| Comp Alliance Workers Comp | $188 | 105% |
| Oha Networks | $203 | 113% |
| Worker Compensation | $209 | 117% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $228 - $480 | 127% |
| Corizon | $231 | 129% |
| Well Path | $231 | 129% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $231 | 129% |
| Centurion | $248 | 138% |
| Naphcare | $256 | 143% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CT scan of the head (with and without contrast) at Saint John Hospital in Leavenworth, KS, the cash median price is $165.00, which is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by most insurance plans. While commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna negotiate rates ranging from $153 to $288, the cash price remains the most affordable option for patients without insurance or those with high-deductible plans. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and do not reflect the true cost of care; comparing these rates to the Medicare benchmark of $179.20 reveals that many commercial contracts exceed fair pricing standards. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying out-of-pocket may result in lower total costs if the insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price.
To ensure you are not overcharged, we recommend requesting an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a surprise bill from an out-of-network provider, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for emergency and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Additionally, ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Always dispute any summary bills that lack detailed line items and insist on a certified written audit to resolve pricing discrepancies effectively.