CT scan, chest (no contrast)
Facility: Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 71250 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71250
- Insurance Median: $618
- Cash Discount Price: $650
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.79x 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 579% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 479%). 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 | $521 | 488% |
| Humana | $592 | 554% |
| Aetna | $602 - $650 | 564% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $618 | 579% |
| Hpk-All Plans | $618 | 579% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $650 | 609% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the chest without contrast at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital, the cash price is $650.00, which matches the facility's negotiated rate for Medicaid/KanCare and the gross charge. While the median amount paid by commercial payers is $618.00, this is still significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, indicating a substantial markup relative to the federal cost baseline. Patients should note that cash payment may not always be the most economical option; if your insurance plan has a high deductible, the negotiated rate of $618.00 could be lower than your out-of-pocket cash cost, though the cash price remains the baseline for self-pay.
This facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, and while specific county or state average data was not provided in the current report, the transparent pricing shows a clear range from $521.00 for Tricare to $650.00 for Aetna. To ensure you receive the best possible rate, we recommend requesting a prompt-pay discount if you plan to pay in full upfront, as hospitals often offer 20% to 50% reductions for immediate payment to bypass administrative processing costs. Additionally, always verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network contracts vary significantly, and ensure you receive an itemized bill to confirm no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in your final charge.