CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Clara Barton Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $1,407
- Cash Discount Price: $1,094
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.85x 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 785% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 685%). 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 | 253% |
| 6 Degrees Health - All Plans | $1,094 | 610% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $1,250 | 698% |
| Aetna | $1,407 | 785% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,407 | 785% |
| Phcs - All Plans | $1,407 | 785% |
| Hlth Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $1,438 | 802% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470 (CT scan, head with and without contrast) at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $453 to $1,438 depending on the insurance carrier. The median negotiated rate across all payers is $1,407, which is significantly higher than the cash price of $1,094. This price point is 7.9 times the Medicare benchmark amount of $179.20. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40% compared to direct cash payments.
Given that the cash price of $1,094 is lower than the median negotiated rate of $1,407, patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price directly, provided they secure a prompt-pay discount. Clara Barton Hospital offers a self-pay option, and patients should explicitly request a "prompt-pay" discount or a "self-pay" classification before scheduling to potentially reduce the cost further. 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, patients must verify their specific plan details and deductible status before relying on insurance coverage to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.