CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $96
- Cash Discount Price: $1,041
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.90x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $94 | 88% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $96 - $462 | 90% |
| Providrs Care Network | $96 | 90% |
| United Mine Workers Of America | $96 | 90% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $96 - $116 | 90% |
| Aetna | $96 - $120 | 90% |
| Lantern Specialty Care | $153 | 143% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast at Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital in Wichita, the cash median price is $1,041, which is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rates. While commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have negotiated rates ranging from $96 to $120, these figures represent the maximum allowed amounts for in-network members and do not reflect the actual cost to the patient. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price of $1,041 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially since the facility's negotiated rates often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead. We recommend asking the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as paying in full within a short window can sometimes reduce the final amount owed.
To ensure you are not overpaying, it is crucial to request an itemized bill that breaks down every charge by CPT code, rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual line items. This audit helps identify errors such as unbundled services or charges for items not rendered, which are common in hospital billing. Additionally, this rate can be compared against the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. While the facility's gross charge is $1,602, the Medicare rate reveals that commercial negotiated rates often include significant markups, making it essential to verify the final allowed amount with your specific insurance carrier before proceeding.