CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: F W Huston Medical Center
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $1,771
- Cash Discount Price: $1,840
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.88x 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 988% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 888%). 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% |
| Aetna | $1,725 | 963% |
| Humana | $1,817 | 1014% |
| Cigna | $1,955 | 1091% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470, representing a CT scan of the head with and without contrast, the facility F W Huston Medical Center in Winchester, KS, lists a gross charge of $2,300.00. While the facility's cash median price is $1,840.00, commercial insurance payers negotiate significantly higher rates, with the median negotiated amount being $1,771.00. This data highlights a common pricing dynamic where the cash price is actually lower than the average rate paid by insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield ($458), Aetna ($1,725), Humana ($1,817), and Cigna ($1,955). Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price of $1,840.00 directly, as this amount is lower than the negotiated rates their insurance would otherwise apply, provided they have not yet met their deductible.
When evaluating the cost relative to federal standards, the Medicare amount for this service is $179.20, which serves as the objective baseline for pricing. The facility's cash price of $1,840.00 is approximately 10.2 times the Medicare rate, while the median negotiated rate of $1,771.00 is roughly 9.9 times higher. To minimize costs, patients should proactively inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as hospitals often offer fee reductions for upfront payments that bypass the administrative overhead of insurance billing. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, it is