CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Holton Community Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $1,364
- Cash Discount Price: $1,232
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 12.77x 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 1277% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1177%). 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 | $453 | 424% |
| Aetna | $871 - $1,643 | 815% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $871 - $1,643 | 815% |
| Humana | $880 | 824% |
| Kansas Superior Select - All Plans | $888 | 831% |
| Preferred Health Fn Select - All Other Plans | $1,364 | 1277% |
| Preferred Health Professionals | $1,364 | 1277% |
| Preferred Health Freedom | $1,364 | 1277% |
| Wppa Providers - All Plans | $1,561 | 1461% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,643 | 1538% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast at Holton Community Hospital, the cash median price is $1,232, while the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare range from $871 to $1,643. Although the cash price is lower than the gross chargemaster of $1,643, it is important to note that commercial insurance negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash median of $1,232 upfront more financially advantageous than relying on insurance, which could result in a higher allowed amount or significant out-of-pocket costs if the deductible has not been met. Additionally, this facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Kansas, and while specific county or state average comparisons are not provided in the current data, patients should always verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling to ensure they are not facing unexpected balance billing.
To maximize savings, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Since hospitals often issue summary bills that obscure individual line items, consumers should request a detailed, itemized audit of the charges to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. Furthermore, while the Medicare amount for this procedure is $106.81, commercial rates are frequently marked up significantly above this baseline; however, the No Surprises Act provides federal protection against balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities