CT scan, chest (no contrast)
Facility: Stormont Vail Hospital
Billing Code: 71250 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71250
- Insurance Median: $98
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.92x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter / Centene | $61 - $109 | 57% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $61 - $109 | 57% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $62 - $613 | 58% |
| Aetna | $96 - $98 | 90% |
| Humana | $96 - $98 | 90% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
This CPT code for a chest CT scan (no contrast) at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS, carries a gross charge of $3,637.00, though the facility's negotiated rate averages $98.00 across five payers. While the median amount paid by insurers is $59,530.00, patients should be aware that cash prices are often lower than these negotiated rates, particularly for those with high-deductible plans where the insurance allowed amount might exceed the cash price. To secure the best possible rate, it is essential to request a self-pay or prompt-pay discount directly from the hospital before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can significantly reduce the final cost by bypassing administrative fees and claims processing delays.
For transparency, the Medicare benchmark for this service is $106.81, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. Although the provided data does not include specific state or county average comparisons, the significant gap between the Medicare rate and the commercial negotiated rates highlights the importance of verifying allowed amounts before treatment. Patients should avoid accepting summary bills that obscure individual line items, as an itemized audit can reveal unbundled charges or services not rendered, which are common sources of billing errors. Furthermore, under the No Surprises Act, patients are protected from balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, ensuring that unexpected charges for emergency or mandatory ancillary services are not passed to them.