CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Stormont Vail Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $160
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.89x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $103 - $156 | 57% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $103 - $156 | 57% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $104 - $613 | 58% |
| Humana | $160 - $164 | 89% |
| Aetna | $160 - $164 | 89% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470, representing a CT scan of the head with and without contrast, Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS, has a negotiated payment range of $103 to $164 across five major payers, with a median negotiated rate of $160. This facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital located at 1500 SW 10th Avenue. While the facility's median negotiated rate of $160 aligns closely with the state average for this procedure, it is important to note that commercial insurance rates often exceed the true cost of care. Medicare, which serves as the objective baseline for pricing, covers $179.20 for this service, meaning the negotiated rates are slightly below the Medicare benchmark. Patients should be aware that while in-network insurance provides protection against balance billing for out-of-network providers at this facility, the actual amount paid by the insurer may vary significantly depending on the specific plan and deductible status.
For patients with high-deductible plans, paying cash directly can sometimes be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurance negotiated rate of $160 may exceed the cash price if available. Although the cash median is not listed in this report, patients are encouraged to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. If a patient receives a bill after insurance processing, they should request a full itemized audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. Additionally, patients should verify