CT scan, chest (no contrast)
Facility: Providence Medical Center
Billing Code: 71250 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71250
- Insurance Median: $133
- Cash Discount Price: $98
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.25x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $60 | 56% |
| Medicare (plans) | $98 | 92% |
| Midland Care Connection | $98 | 92% |
| Tricare | $98 | 92% |
| Cigna | $98 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $98 - $202 | 92% |
| Aetna | $98 - $321 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $103 | 96% |
| Healthy Blue | $103 - $109 | 96% |
| Celtic | $103 - $158 | 96% |
| Corizon | $128 | 120% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $138 | 129% |
| Well Path Prison | $138 | 129% |
| Centurion | $148 | 139% |
| Naphcare | $153 | 143% |
| Comp Alliance - Fka Compresults Worker Compensation | $154 | 144% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $158 - $255 | 148% |
| Oha Networks | $166 | 155% |
| Worker Compensation | $171 | 160% |
| First Health | $750 | 702% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this CT scan of the chest (no contrast) at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, the facility's cash median rate is $98.00, which is significantly lower than the state average of $1362.00. While many commercial payers have negotiated rates ranging from $98 to $321, the cash price remains the most affordable option for patients without insurance. It is important to note that cash-pay can sometimes be cheaper for individuals with high-deductible plans if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price; however, patients should always verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling. To maximize savings, consumers should explicitly ask the hospital for "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before check-in, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing costly insurance claims processing.
The facility's Medicare benchmarking ratio is 1.2, indicating that the commercial negotiated rates are 20% higher than the federal government's fixed reimbursement rate, which serves as the objective baseline for true healthcare costs. This markup is typical for commercial insurance contracts that include administrative overhead and risk premiums, whereas fair pricing is generally defined as 120% to 150% of Medicare. Patients should avoid comparing discounts to the hospital's gross chargemaster list, as these inflated figures do not reflect actual costs. Instead, focus on the Medicare amount of $106.81 to evaluate the facility's pricing structure. If you receive a bill that includes charges for services not rendered or unbundled components, request a formal itemized billing audit via certified mail to ensure accuracy before making any payment.