CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Labette Health
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $165
- Cash Discount Price: $2,134
- 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 $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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $102 - $165 | 57% |
| Healthy Blue | $103 - $156 | 57% |
| Uhccp | $146 - $293 | 81% |
| Wellcare | $165 | 92% |
| Humana | $165 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $165 - $2,652 | 92% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $165 - $480 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $170 | 95% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $189 | 105% |
| Montgomery County | $301 | 168% |
| Multiplan | $2,591 | 1446% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas, Inc | $2,744 | 1531% |
| Choicecare (First Health Network) | $2,744 | 1531% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470 (CT scan, head with and without contrast), Labette Health in Parsons, KS, lists a gross charge of $3,048.00, which is significantly higher than the facility's cash median of $2,134.00. While the facility is government-owned, the negotiated rates vary widely among payers; for instance, Medicaid/KanCare plans range from $102 to $165, whereas UnitedHealthcare plans can range up to $2,652. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash median directly rather than relying on insurance, provided the insurer's allowed amount is higher than $2,134.00.
To understand the true cost relative to national standards, this service is benchmarked against the Medicare rate of $179.20, which serves as the objective baseline for healthcare delivery costs. The facility's cash price represents a markup of 119% over the Medicare amount, falling within the typical range of fair pricing (120% to 150% of Medicare), whereas many commercial rates can reach 200% to 300% of the Medicare benchmark. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network contracts may result in higher out-of-pocket costs than self-pay. Additionally, asking about "prompt-pay" discounts or self-pay rates prior to check-in can help avoid unexpected balance billing, especially since federal protections like the No Surprises Act limit surprise charges for