CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $99
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.93x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $98 | 92% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $98 | 92% |
| Vc Hope | $98 | 92% |
| Via Christi Research | $98 | 92% |
| Va | $98 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $98 - $100 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $100 - $275 | 94% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $100 | 94% |
| Corizon | $123 | 115% |
| Smarthealth | $138 | 129% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $167 | 156% |
| Aetna | $258 - $281 | 242% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $592 | 554% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70450 (CT scan, head, no contrast) at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., the facility's negotiated rates range from $98 to $592 depending on the insurance carrier. The lowest negotiated amount is $98, which aligns with the state average for Kansas, while the highest negotiated rate is $592 for Coventry City Of Wichita. The facility's median negotiated rate of $99.00 is slightly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, indicating that the commercial rate is very close to the federal government's cost-based standard. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying cash directly may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the cash price could be lower than the insurer's allowed amount, which varies significantly across payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna.
Patients should verify their specific plan details before scheduling, as some commercial rates can exceed the cash price due to administrative costs and contract dynamics. It is important to ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront, bypassing the costly insurance claims process. If a patient receives a bill that includes charges for services not rendered or unbundled codes, they should request a full itemized audit rather than accepting a summary invoice. Additionally, under the No Surprises Act, patients are protected from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, so any unexpected high-cost bills should be disputed with the insurer or the facility's billing supervisor.