CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Mcpherson Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $96
- Cash Discount Price: $821
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.90x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $32 - $1,938 | 30% |
| Tricare | $33 - $85 | 31% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $38 - $111 | 36% |
| Humana | $38 - $96 | 36% |
| Wellcare Mcr Adv - All Plans | $38 - $96 | 36% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $38 - $96 | 36% |
| Aetna | $38 - $1,938 | 36% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $38 - $96 | 36% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv | $38 - $96 | 36% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $47 - $1,744 | 44% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $88 - $1,938 | 82% |
| Health Blue Mcaid - All Other Plans | $89 - $1,977 | 83% |
| Medical Associates - All Plans | $211 - $1,454 | 198% |
| Central Plains - All Plans | $211 - $1,454 | 198% |
| Cigna | $267 - $1,841 | 250% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $267 - $1,841 | 250% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $1,357 | 1270% |
| Christian Health Aid - All Plans | $1,550 | 1451% |
| First Health - All Plans | $1,841 | 1724% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast at McPherson Hospital in McPherson, Kansas, the facility's cash price is $821.00, which is lower than the gross charge of $1,110.00. While the median negotiated rate across payers is $96.00, this figure represents the maximum amount insurance plans are contractually allowed to pay, not necessarily the final out-of-pocket cost for a patient. Many commercial payers, such as UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, have negotiated rates that can reach as high as $1,938, which may exceed the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans might find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price directly, as the insurance negotiated ceiling could be higher than the upfront cash rate. It is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate may not be covered until that threshold is met.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. These discounts bypass the administrative overhead of insurance claims processing and provide immediate liquidity to the facility. Additionally, while the facility's cash price is $821.00, the Medicare benchmark for this service is $106.81, indicating that commercial rates often include significant markups compared to the federal baseline. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you may be eligible for protections under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in