CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Stormont Vail Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- 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
For the CPT code 70450 (CT scan, head, no contrast) at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS, the negotiated rates paid by major insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna range from $61 to $109, while Blue Cross Blue Shield rates span a wider band from $62 to $613. These commercial rates are significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, with the median negotiated payment of $109.00 representing a 90% markup relative to the federal baseline. While commercial contracts provide a ceiling to prevent balance billing for in-network members, the administrative costs embedded in these rates often result in higher final costs compared to direct payment options.
Patients should consider that cash-pay rates, which are not listed for this specific service, could potentially be lower than the negotiated amounts if your insurance deductible has not yet been met. Since hospitals often offer prompt-pay discounts for upfront self-pay balances, it is advisable to contact the billing department directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay rates before scheduling. Additionally, because over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, you should request a full itemized statement to review every line item for unbundled codes or services not rendered, ensuring you are only paying for what was actually provided.