CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Providence Medical Center
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $203
- Cash Discount Price: $165
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.13x 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 | $101 | 56% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $153 - $449 | 85% |
| Healthy Blue | $156 - $174 | 87% |
| Celtic | $156 - $264 | 87% |
| Aetna | $165 - $376 | 92% |
| Tricare | $165 | 92% |
| Cigna | $165 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $165 | 92% |
| Midland Care Connection | $165 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $174 | 97% |
| Comp Alliance - Fka Compresults Worker Compensation | $188 | 105% |
| Oha Networks | $203 | 113% |
| Worker Compensation | $209 | 117% |
| Corizon | $215 | 120% |
| Well Path Prison | $231 | 129% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $231 | 129% |
| Centurion | $248 | 138% |
| Naphcare | $256 | 143% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $264 - $428 | 147% |
| First Health | $750 | 419% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470 (CT scan, head with and without contrast) at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, the facility's cash median rate is $165, which is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by most commercial payers. While the gross charge is $5,690, commercial insurance contracts typically cap payments between $101 and $750 depending on the plan, with many carriers paying around $200 to $260. This structure highlights a common billing dynamic where cash-pay options can be substantially cheaper than the negotiated rates your insurance might apply, especially if you have a high deductible or are self-insured. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network facilities may charge higher negotiated rates than others, and asking about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts upfront can help secure the lowest possible price.
The facility's pricing is evaluated against federal benchmarks, where the Medicare amount for this service is $179.20. The facility's cash rate of $165 is slightly below the Medicare benchmark, indicating a competitive baseline price, whereas the median paid by commercial payers ($2,589) appears to reflect a discrepancy between the listed gross charge and actual allowed amounts rather than a standard markup. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, patients should still request an itemized bill to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. If you are paying out-of-pocket, signing a waiver to prevent automatic claims submission to your insurance is a critical step to ensure you receive the cash rate