CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $161
- Cash Discount Price: $1,372
- 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 $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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $158 | 88% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $161 - $462 | 90% |
| United Mine Workers Of America | $161 | 90% |
| Providrs Care Network | $161 | 90% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $161 - $195 | 90% |
| Aetna | $161 - $201 | 90% |
| Lantern Specialty Care | $257 | 143% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head at Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital in Wichita, the cash median price is $1,372, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $2,110. While the facility is a Physician-owned Acute Care Hospital, the negotiated rates for in-network insurance plans range from $158 to $201, depending on the specific carrier and plan. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $1,372 upfront can be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash price once deductibles are met. Additionally, patients should verify if the hospital offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed.
When evaluating the cost against federal benchmarks, the Medicare amount for this procedure is $179.20. The facility's cash rate of $1,372 represents a significant markup compared to the Medicare baseline, illustrating the typical administrative and overhead costs embedded in commercial billing. Commercial negotiated rates generally average between 200% and 300% of the Medicare rate, whereas fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150% of Medicare. Consumers should be aware that hospitals often issue summary bills that obscure individual line items; requesting a full itemized CPT-coded bill is the most effective way to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered before finalizing payment.