CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Mcpherson Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $161
- Cash Discount Price: $1,141
- 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 $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 | $48 - $2,666 | 27% |
| Tricare | $49 - $142 | 27% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $56 - $186 | 31% |
| Wellcare Mcr Adv - All Plans | $56 - $161 | 31% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv | $56 - $161 | 31% |
| Humana | $56 - $161 | 31% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $56 - $161 | 31% |
| Aetna | $56 - $2,666 | 31% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $56 - $161 | 31% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $69 - $2,399 | 39% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $143 - $2,666 | 80% |
| Health Blue Mcaid - All Other Plans | $146 - $2,719 | 81% |
| Central Plains - All Plans | $314 - $2,000 | 175% |
| Medical Associates - All Plans | $314 - $2,000 | 175% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $398 - $2,533 | 222% |
| Cigna | $398 - $2,533 | 222% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $1,866 | 1041% |
| Christian Health Aid - All Plans | $2,133 | 1190% |
| First Health - All Plans | $2,533 | 1414% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients paying cash directly, the most critical information is that the cash median rate for a CT scan of the head is $1,141. While this amount is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $1,543 and the Medicare benchmark of $179.2, it is important to note that commercial insurance negotiated rates often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. For instance, some payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have high-end negotiated rates reaching $2,666, which is more than double the cash rate, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash price of $1,141 upfront rather than relying on insurance reimbursement.
The broader pricing context for this service at McPherson Hospital shows a wide variance between commercial rates and state averages. The facility's median negotiated rate is $161, while the median paid rate is $2,000, illustrating the significant difference between what insurers contractually agree to pay and what patients ultimately settle. Compared to the state of Kansas, where the cash median is $1,141, this facility aligns with the state average for cash payments but operates with a gross charge of $1,543 that is substantially higher than the state's typical billing levels. Patients are encouraged to verify "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts directly with the hospital before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final cost beyond the base cash median.