CT scan, chest (no contrast)
Facility: Rawlins County Health Center
Billing Code: 71250 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71250
- Insurance Median: $1,253
- Cash Discount Price: $1,224
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.73x 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 1173% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1073%). 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 | $458 | 429% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,253 | 1173% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the chest without contrast at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas, the cash median price is $1,224.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $1,253.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital, the data does not provide specific county or state average benchmarks for this procedure, so a direct comparison to regional pricing is not available. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price of $1,224.00 more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rate of $1,253.00 exceeds the cash amount. It is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible could result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying cash outright.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $106.81, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating pricing markups. The facility's cash rate of $1,224.00 is approximately 11.7 times the Medicare amount, reflecting the standard administrative and operational costs included in commercial billing. To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, always request an itemized bill that lists specific CPT codes rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual charges. If you receive a large bill after receiving care, you should request a formal written audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes that can be corrected. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total amount owed if you settle the account