CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Rawlins County Health Center
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $986
- Cash Discount Price: $963
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.50x 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 $179.2 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 550% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 450%). 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 | 256% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $986 | 550% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas, the cash price is $963.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $986.00. This procedure is billed under CPT code 70470, and while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with voluntary non-profit ownership, patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead. Specifically, UnitedHealthcare has a negotiated rate of $986.00, which is higher than the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash rate directly, provided they have the funds available. Additionally, the facility's cash rate is significantly lower than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, indicating that the commercial pricing structure includes substantial markups relative to the federal baseline.
When considering payment options, it is important to understand that insurance companies may not cover the full negotiated amount, potentially leading to balance billing if the patient is out-of-network or if ancillary services are not covered. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for emergency care at in-network facilities, patients should still verify their specific plan details before scheduling. To minimize costs, patients are encouraged to request a prompt-pay discount from the billing department before check-in, as paying in full upfront can often reduce the total amount owed. Furthermore, if a summary bill is received, patients should demand a full itemized audit to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written dispute.