CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Rawlins County Health Center
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- 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 head without contrast at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas, the cash price is $1,224.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $1,253.00. This service is billed under CPT code 70450, and while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with voluntary non-profit ownership, patients should verify their specific plan details before scheduling. It is important to note that cash payments can sometimes be more affordable than insurance claims, particularly for those with high-deductible plans where the insurer's negotiated rate might exceed the cash price. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed by bypassing administrative processing fees.
When evaluating the cost of this procedure, it is crucial to compare rates against objective benchmarks rather than the hospital's full chargemaster list. The Medicare amount for this code is $106.81, and the data indicates a 11.7% variance relative to Medicare, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for true healthcare costs. While the provided data does not include specific county or state average figures for this procedure, patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates often include significant administrative markups. If you receive a bill that appears unexpectedly high, you have the right to request a detailed, itemized audit to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. Furthermore, under the No Surprises Act, you are protected from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, so you should