CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Kiowa District Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $884
- Cash Discount Price: $748
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.93x 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 493% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 393%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $365 | 204% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $453 | 253% |
| Healthchoice-All Plans | $456 | 254% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $748 - $935 | 417% |
| Health Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $823 | 459% |
| Humana | $844 | 471% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $879 | 491% |
| Gbs Insurance - All Plans | $879 | 491% |
| Aetna | $888 | 496% |
| Triwest-All Plans | $888 | 496% |
| Medicare (plans) | $888 | 496% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $935 | 522% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $1,402 | 782% |
| Liberty Healthshare-All Plans | $1,510 | 843% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CT scan of the head (with and without contrast) at Kiowa District Hospital in Kiowa, KS, the cash median price is $748.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $935.00. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates vary significantly; for instance, UnitedHealthcare pays between $748 and $935, whereas Medicaid/KanCare pays the full $935.00. Because the cash price is often lower than the negotiated rates paid by many insurers, patients with high-deductible plans may save money by paying the cash median directly, provided they secure a prompt-pay discount before the claim is submitted.
To maximize savings, consumers should explicitly request self-pay or prompt-pay discounts prior to scheduling, as waiting until after receiving a bill may result in the loss of these reductions. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, this facility's government ownership and specific contract structures mean that commercial rates can still exceed cash prices. For context, the facility's cash median of $748.00 is notably lower than the Medicare amount of $179.20, highlighting that commercial rates include significant administrative markups. Patients are encouraged to verify their specific plan's allowed amount and ask the billing department for a detailed itemized audit to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the final invoice.