CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Lane County Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $950
- Cash Discount Price: $950
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.89x 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 889% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 789%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $855 - $902 | 800% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $855 - $950 | 800% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $950 | 889% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $950 | 889% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $950 - $1,045 | 889% |
| Wppa Providers-All Plans | $1,425 | 1334% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70450, representing a CT scan of the head without contrast, Lane County Hospital in Dighton, KS, lists a cash price of $950.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate and the state average for this service. While the hospital's chargemaster gross charge is $950.00, the Medicare benchmark rate for this procedure is significantly lower at $106.81, indicating a substantial markup relative to the federal baseline. It is important to note that commercial insurance plans, including Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicaid/KanCare, have negotiated rates ranging from $855 to $1,045, which are generally higher than the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price of $950.00 directly, as this amount is lower than the negotiated rates most insurers have agreed to pay for this specific service.
To secure the lowest possible cost, consumers should proactively contact the hospital's billing department to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Since the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, verifying the exact payment terms before scheduling is essential to avoid unexpected administrative fees. Additionally, patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, it is still prudent to request an itemized billing audit if any charges appear incorrect or if services were not rendered. By comparing the cash price against the Medicare benchmark and actively seeking prompt