CT scan, chest (no contrast)
Facility: Ellinwood District Hospital
Billing Code: 71250 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71250
- Insurance Median: $413
- Cash Discount Price: $502
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.87x 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 387% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 287%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $413 | 387% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $413 | 387% |
| Cigna | $413 | 387% |
| Humana | $413 | 387% |
| Aetna | $413 | 387% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71250, representing a chest CT scan without contrast, the facility in Ellinwood, Kansas, has a gross charge of $590.00. While the facility's negotiated rate for in-network payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare is $413.00, the cash median price is $502.00. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $502.00 upfront can sometimes be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate of $413.00 may still exceed the patient's out-of-pocket responsibility if their deductible has not been met. Additionally, patients should verify if the facility offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which could further reduce the final amount owed before scheduling the procedure.
This specific service is priced significantly higher than the state average, with a markup of 3.9 times the Medicare benchmark rate of $106.81. Medicare serves as the objective baseline for fair pricing, and commercial rates often average 200% to 300% of this amount due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics. To ensure you are receiving fair value, it is recommended to request an itemized billing audit to review the line-by-line charges and confirm that no services were unbundled or billed for without being rendered. Given that over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, obtaining a detailed statement is a critical step in identifying any discrepancies before finalizing payment.