CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: St. Catherine Hospital - Garden City
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $383
- Cash Discount Price: $1,679
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.59x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 359% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 259%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $59 - $68 | 55% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $59 - $1,556 | 55% |
| Aetna | $59 - $2,116 | 55% |
| Cigna | $59 - $310 | 55% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $59 - $569 | 55% |
| Medicare (plans) | $59 - $68 | 55% |
| Kansas Health | $59 | 55% |
| Kaiser | $59 - $1,620 | 55% |
| Innovage | $68 | 64% |
| Devoted Health | $68 | 64% |
| United Colorado Doctor'S Plan | $245 | 229% |
| Direct To Employer | $322 - $2,353 | 301% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $337 | 316% |
| Peak Health | $433 - $2,294 | 405% |
| Multiplan | $592 - $4,999 | 554% |
| Denver Health | $1,388 | 1300% |
| Wpaa | $1,760 | 1648% |
| Christian Health Aid | $2,011 | 1883% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $2,439 | 2283% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast, St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas, lists a gross charge of $4,198.00, though the actual cash median price is significantly lower at $1,679.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna range from $59 to over $2,000 depending on the specific plan, the cash price offers a clear alternative for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance. It is important to note that while some commercial negotiated rates exceed the cash price, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as insurance contracts can vary widely even within the same payer network.
The facility's pricing structure is evaluated against federal benchmarks, with a Medicare amount of $106.81 serving as the baseline for cost transparency. Although the data does not provide explicit state or county average comparisons for this specific procedure, the significant gap between the gross charge and the cash median highlights the potential savings available through direct payment. Patients are encouraged to request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts directly from the hospital prior to check-in, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative claim processing fees. Additionally, because the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, patients should review their itemized bills carefully to ensure no unexpected charges for out-of-network ancillary services are included.