CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $254
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.38x 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 238% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 138%). 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 | $98 | 92% |
| Aetna | $98 | 92% |
| Cigna | $100 | 94% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $254 | 238% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70450, representing a CT scan of the head without contrast, the Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute in Leawood, KS, has a median negotiated rate of $254.00. This rate is significantly higher than the state average, which is 2.4 times the Medicare benchmark amount of $106.81. While UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, Cigna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield all have specific negotiated rates listed at $98, $98, $100, and $254 respectively, patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and can exceed the actual cost of care. For individuals with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly might be more cost-effective if the facility offers a self-pay or prompt-pay discount, as the insurance negotiated rate may not reflect the lowest possible price for the service.
To ensure you are receiving the best possible price, it is important to verify the facility's self-pay classification before scheduling your appointment. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services like lab work are billed separately. We recommend requesting an itemized billing audit to review every line item on your statement, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes. By asking for a prompt-pay discount upfront and refusing to sign away your rights to dispute out-of-network charges, you can avoid unnecessary costs and ensure your bill accurately reflects the true cost of your care.