CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: St. Catherine Hospital - Garden City
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $411
- Cash Discount Price: $2,149
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.29x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 229% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 129%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $100 - $2,508 | 56% |
| Medicare (plans) | $100 - $116 | 56% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $100 - $1,845 | 56% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $100 - $569 | 56% |
| Humana | $100 - $116 | 56% |
| Cigna | $100 - $310 | 56% |
| Kansas Health | $100 | 56% |
| Kaiser | $100 - $2,139 | 56% |
| Devoted Health | $116 | 65% |
| Innovage | $116 | 65% |
| Direct To Employer | $322 - $3,105 | 180% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $337 | 188% |
| United Colorado Doctor'S Plan | $402 | 224% |
| Peak Health | $433 - $3,028 | 242% |
| Multiplan | $592 - $6,598 | 330% |
| Denver Health | $1,832 | 1022% |
| Wpaa | $2,086 | 1164% |
| Christian Health Aid | $2,384 | 1330% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $2,891 | 1613% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CT scan of the head (with and without contrast) at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, Kansas, the facility's cash median price is $2,149, which is significantly higher than the state average of $1,792. While the hospital's negotiated rates for commercial payers range from $100 to $6,598, these amounts are often inflated by administrative costs and contract structures that can add 20% to 40% to the base price. Patients should be aware that in-network insurance plans may result in higher out-of-pocket costs if the patient has not yet met their deductible, as the negotiated ceiling can exceed the cash price. It is advisable to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling to ensure you are not paying more than necessary.
To potentially lower your costs, consider asking the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Since hospitals save on administrative overhead when receiving cash directly, they often offer these incentives to improve immediate liquidity. Additionally, if you receive an itemized bill, request a full line-by-line audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. Always compare the facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark of $179.20 for this procedure, as commercial rates frequently mark up this baseline by 200% to 300%, whereas fair pricing typically aligns closer to 120% to 150% of the Medicare amount.