CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Ellinwood District Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $432
- Cash Discount Price: $525
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.04x 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 404% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 304%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna | $413 - $452 | 387% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $413 - $452 | 387% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $413 - $452 | 387% |
| Humana | $413 - $452 | 387% |
| Aetna | $413 - $452 | 387% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast at Ellinwood District Hospital, the cash median price is $525.00, which is lower than the negotiated rates of $432.00 paid by major insurers like Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna. This price transparency data highlights that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying cash directly can sometimes be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. Additionally, patients should inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative processing fees.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against the Medicare rate of $106.81, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating commercial markups. While the data does not provide specific state or county average comparisons for this specific procedure, it is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often average 200% to 300% of Medicare, whereas fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150%. To ensure you are not overcharged, always request an itemized bill before paying, as summary bills may obscure errors or unbundled charges. If you receive a balance bill from an out-of-network provider, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from paying the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount for emergency care or non-emergency services at in-network facilities.