CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Wesley Medical Center
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $2,142
- Cash Discount Price: $12,380
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 20.05x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 2005% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1905%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 | $60 | 56% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $62 | 58% |
| Aetna | $62 - $4,420 | 58% |
| Amerigroup | $62 | 58% |
| First Health | $114 - $5,707 | 107% |
| Multiplan | $119 - $11,142 | 111% |
| United | $245 - $5,571 | 229% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $480 | 449% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $2,142 - $6,190 | 2005% |
| Wppa | $2,154 | 2017% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $2,228 | 2086% |
| Preferred Health Choices | $2,340 | 2191% |
| Medical Associates Health Plan | $2,340 | 2191% |
| Spirit Aerosystems | $3,962 | 3709% |
| Triwest Healthcare Alliance | $8,047 | 7534% |
| Usa Managed Care | $10,523 | 9852% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this CT scan of the head (no contrast) at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS, the cash price is $12,380.00, which matches the facility's cash median. This rate is significantly higher than the state average, reflecting the specific negotiated and contracted pricing structures in place. While commercial insurance plans like Aetna and First Health have negotiated rates ranging from $62 to over $10,000 depending on the specific plan, these amounts often exceed the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash rate directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's allowed amount could be substantially higher than the cash-pay option. It is crucial to verify your specific plan's deductible status and allowed amount before scheduling, as paying out-of-pocket might result in lower out-of-pocket costs.
To ensure you are receiving the most favorable rate, we recommend asking the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, if you have insurance, be aware that balance billing could occur if you receive care from out-of-network providers, though the No Surprises Act protects you from such surprise bills for emergency services and non-emergency care at in-network facilities. If you receive a bill, always request a full itemized statement rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes that can be disputed. Comparing your facility's rates to the Medicare benchmark of $106.81 reveals a significant markup, highlighting the importance of understanding the difference