CT scan, chest (no contrast)
Facility: Saint Luke'S South Hospital
Billing Code: 71250 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71250
- Insurance Median: $1,009
- Cash Discount Price: $1,972
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.45x 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 945% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 845%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $60 - $136 | 56% |
| Humana | $89 - $146 | 83% |
| Aetna | $114 - $3,122 | 107% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $114 - $1,009 | 107% |
| Cigna | $118 - $2,494 | 110% |
| Transplants-Case Rates [5750] | $158 - $3,286 | 148% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $240 - $2,468 | 225% |
| Commercial-Contracted [8000] | $959 - $2,658 | 898% |
| First Health [5512] | $1,948 | 1824% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the chest without contrast at Saint Luke's South Hospital, the cash median price is $1,972, while the facility's negotiated rates with insurance plans range from $60 to $3,286 depending on the carrier. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures; in this case, the cash price is significantly lower than the highest negotiated amounts found for Aetna, Cigna, and Transplants-Case Rates. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price directly, as the $1,972 cash median is lower than the average negotiated rates for many major payers listed, such as UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield. Additionally, patients should inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill by bypassing costly insurance billing cycles.
When evaluating the cost against broader benchmarks, the Medicare amount for this procedure is $106.81, which serves as the objective baseline for fair pricing. While the facility's cash rate is higher than the Medicare benchmark, it aligns closely with the state of Kansas average for this service, whereas the gross charge of $3,286 represents a significant markup that should be ignored when assessing true value. The facility's negotiated median of $1,009 provides a middle ground, but patients must verify their specific plan's allowed amount to avoid unexpected costs. To ensure accuracy, consumers should request a detailed, itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital invoices contain errors such as double