CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Stafford County Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $795
- Cash Discount Price: $795
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.44x 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 444% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 344%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Health Partners-All Plans | $755 | 421% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $795 | 444% |
| Medica Mcr- All Plans | $795 | 444% |
| Va Ccn-All Plans | $795 | 444% |
| Humana | $795 | 444% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470, representing a CT scan of the head with and without contrast, the cash and median negotiated rates at Stafford County Hospital are both $795. This amount is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, reflecting a markup of 440% above the federal baseline. While commercial payers such as Health Partners, UnitedHealthcare, and Humana have all negotiated rates of $795, this price point exceeds the typical fair pricing range of 120% to 150% of the Medicare rate. Patients with high-deductible plans should note that paying the cash price of $795 upfront may be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rate often includes administrative overhead that can inflate the final bill.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively contact the hospital to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the balance by 20% to 50% when paid in full before or shortly after the service. Although Stafford County Hospital is a Critical Access Hospital in Kansas, the data provided does not include specific county or state average comparisons for this procedure, so local benchmarks cannot be verified against this facility's pricing. Regardless of the lack of regional averages, it is essential to request a detailed, itemized bill to ensure no errors exist, as over 80% of hospital charges contain inaccuracies that can be disputed. Finally, if you have insurance, verify your deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your out-of-pocket threshold may result in higher total costs than paying cash directly.