CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Kansas Heart Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $1,665
- Cash Discount Price: $1,166
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.29x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 929% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 829%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $145 | 81% |
| Humana | $162 | 90% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $162 - $1,850 | 90% |
| Celtic Mcr Adv | $162 | 90% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $162 - $1,850 | 90% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $462 - $1,850 | 258% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $541 | 302% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $1,665 | 929% |
| Aetna | $1,804 - $1,850 | 1007% |
| Celtic Mcaid - All Other Plans | $1,850 | 1032% |
| Soonerselect Mcaid - All Plans | $1,850 | 1032% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with and without contrast at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, KS, the negotiated rates paid by insurance carriers range from $145 to $1,850, with a median negotiated amount of $1,665. This median negotiated rate is notably higher than the facility's cash median of $1,166, illustrating that paying out-of-pocket can sometimes be more cost-effective for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance. While the facility's pricing is based on specific payer contracts, it is important to note that the facility's facility rating is 4 out of 5, reflecting its standing in the acute care hospital sector.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively request self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can significantly reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative claim processing fees. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, it is crucial to verify your specific plan's coverage and deductible status before receiving care. For a more objective view of pricing, the Medicare amount for this procedure is $179.20, which serves as a baseline to evaluate the markup of commercial rates; commercial negotiated rates often average between 200% and 300% of this federal benchmark, whereas fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150% of the Medicare rate.