CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Stevens County Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $831
- Cash Discount Price: $955
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.64x 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 464% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 364%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $353 | 197% |
| Aetna | $364 - $955 | 203% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $456 - $480 | 254% |
| First Health - All Plans | $860 | 480% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $907 | 506% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $955 | 533% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470, representing a CT scan of the head with and without contrast, Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton, KS, lists a cash median price of $955.00. This cash rate is identical to the facility's gross charge and significantly higher than the state average for this service, which is $831.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a government-local ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates for this procedure range from $353 to $955 depending on the payer. For individuals with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $955.00 upfront may actually be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for some payers exceed the cash amount.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling their visit, as these programs can offer substantial fee reductions for upfront payment. It is important to verify the specific allowed amount with your insurance carrier, as assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest price is a common pitfall; some in-network facilities charge significantly more than others for the same service. Additionally, since the facility is in-network, the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at this location. Always request a detailed, itemized bill to ensure accuracy, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal audit dispute.