CT scan, chest (no contrast)
Facility: Southwest Medical Center
Billing Code: 71250 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71250
- Insurance Median: $2,569
- Cash Discount Price: $2,442
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 24.05x 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 2405% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 2305%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wppa | $782 - $3,079 | 732% |
| Health_Choice | $782 - $3,079 | 732% |
| Aetna | $894 - $3,519 | 837% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Primary_Network | $949 - $3,739 | 888% |
| United_Healthcare_Commercial | $972 - $3,827 | 910% |
| National_Beef_Packing | $1,005 - $3,959 | 941% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Auto | $1,005 - $3,959 | 941% |
| Omni_Network | $1,005 - $3,959 | 941% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Complementary_Network | $1,039 - $4,091 | 973% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For CPT code 71250 (CT scan, chest, no contrast) at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, KS, the facility's cash median price of $2,442 is significantly lower than the gross charge of $3,053. While the facility is a government-owned acute care hospital, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for in-network payers like Wppa and Health_Choice range from $782 to $3,079 per plan. It is important to note that these negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and contract premiums that can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40% compared to the actual cost of care. Additionally, the facility's cash price is notably higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, which serves as the federal baseline for evaluating hospital pricing markups; however, commercial rates vary widely, with the lowest negotiated amount being $782 and the highest reaching $4,091 depending on the specific insurance carrier.
Consumers should be aware that assuming an in-network status guarantees the lowest possible price is a common pitfall, as different insurers negotiate different maximum rates, and some facilities may charge significantly more than others. Before scheduling, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount and check with the hospital for "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Furthermore, if a patient receives a large post-insurance bill, they should request a formal, itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary