CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Clara Barton Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $1,232
- Cash Discount Price: $958
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.53x 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 1153% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1053%). 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% |
| 6 Degrees Health - All Plans | $958 | 897% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $1,095 | 1025% |
| Aetna | $1,232 | 1153% |
| Phcs - All Plans | $1,232 | 1153% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,232 | 1153% |
| Hlth Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $1,259 | 1179% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, KS, the cash price is $958, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $1,232 and the state average of $1,027. While the facility's negotiated rates for major payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare range from $1,232 to $1,259, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price upfront more cost-effective, as the cash rate is significantly below the insurance allowed amounts. It is important to note that while the facility offers a cash price, patients should verify if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the total cost by bypassing administrative fees and claim processing delays.
The facility's pricing is evaluated against the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, showing a markup of 11.5% above the Medicare rate, which aligns with fair pricing standards rather than the typical 200% to 300% markup often seen in commercial billing. Although the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that balance billing could still occur if ancillary services like emergency physicians or lab tests are provided by out-of-network providers, even at an in-network facility. To avoid unexpected charges, patients should request a full itemized bill before payment and dispute any summary invoices that do not show specific CPT codes, ensuring they are not paying for services that were never rendered or for unbundled components of the procedure.