CT scan, chest (no contrast)
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 71250 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71250
- Insurance Median: $1,140
- Cash Discount Price: $900
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.67x 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 1067% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 967%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers - All Plans | $1,020 | 955% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $1,080 | 1011% |
| Aetna | $1,080 | 1011% |
| First Health - All Plans | $1,140 | 1067% |
| Cigna | $1,140 | 1067% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $1,140 | 1067% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,140 | 1067% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the chest without contrast at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, KS, the facility's cash price is $900, which is lower than the state average of $1,110. While the hospital's negotiated rate with most insurance carriers is $1,140, patients with high-deductible plans might find the cash price more advantageous if their insurance allowed amount exceeds $900. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and can be significantly higher than the cash price; therefore, patients should always ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can bypass the costly insurance claims cycle.
The Medicare benchmark for this procedure is $106.81, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup. The hospital's cash rate of $900 represents a substantial increase over the Medicare amount, reflecting the true cost of delivery adjusted for local wage indexes and facility expenses. When comparing this to the state average, the cash price remains competitive, but patients should be aware that balance billing could occur if they receive out-of-network services, such as certain lab tests or emergency physician fees, even at an in-network facility. To avoid unexpected charges, consumers should request a full itemized bill before paying and dispute any errors in writing, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes that can be corrected through a formal audit.