CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Nemaha Valley Community Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $984
- Cash Discount Price: $1,764
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.49x 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 549% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 449%). 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 | $480 | 268% |
| Humana | $862 | 481% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $862 | 481% |
| Aetna | $871 - $1,666 | 486% |
| Celtic Comm Exch - All Plans | $949 | 530% |
| Partners Direct Health - All Plans | $1,019 | 569% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $1,764 | 984% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $1,862 | 1039% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $1,862 | 1039% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, KS, the cash median price is $1,764, which is 5.5% higher than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20. While this facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, the negotiated rates vary significantly by insurer, ranging from $480 for Blue Cross Blue Shield to $1,862 for Health Partners and Midlands Choice. Because commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can inflate the baseline price, patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying the cash price directly is more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially if the insurer's allowed amount exceeds the cash rate. It is important to verify your specific plan's negotiated rate before scheduling, as in-network status does not guarantee the lowest possible price.
To ensure you are not overcharged, request a full itemized CPT-coded bill before finalizing payment, as summary bills often obscure individual line items and potential errors. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total by 20% to 50% if settled within 30 days, effectively bypassing the costly claims processing cycle. Additionally, be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, you should still review your statement carefully to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered. Always dispute any discrepancies in writing to the billing supervisor rather than accepting verbal assurances, ensuring you have a clear record of the final amount owed.