CT scan, chest (no contrast)
Facility: Hamilton County Hospital
Billing Code: 71250 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71250
- Insurance Median: $1,375
- Cash Discount Price: $2,419
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 12.87x 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 1287% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1187%). 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 | $215 - $480 | 201% |
| First Health Coventry - All Plans | $1,169 - $2,943 | 1094% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,306 - $3,289 | 1223% |
| Cigna | $1,306 - $3,289 | 1223% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $1,375 - $3,462 | 1287% |
| Aetna | $2,338 - $5,886 | 2189% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the chest without contrast at Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, KS, the cash price is $2,419.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. This cash rate is significantly higher than the state average for this procedure, as indicated by the 12.9% variance compared to Medicare benchmarks. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and First Health Coventry offer negotiated rates ranging from $215 to $5,886, these figures often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price directly, as the $2,419.00 rate is lower than the negotiated amounts charged by many in-network payers, effectively bypassing the inflated administrative costs embedded in insurance billing cycles.
To minimize potential costs, patients should proactively inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling their visit, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%. It is also important to request a detailed, itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, which may obscure unbundled charges or services not rendered. If a patient receives a balance bill after an out-of-network service, they should not pay immediately out of fear of credit damage; instead, they should verify the legality of the charge under the No Surprises Act and dispute the amount with their insurer. Finally, comparing the facility's rates to the Medicare amount of $106.81 reveals the true cost baseline, showing that the commercial rates reflect a markup typical of the healthcare system rather than the actual cost of care delivery.