CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Stanton County Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $1,971
- Cash Discount Price: $2,074
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.00x 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 1100% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1000%). 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 | $456 - $1,971 | 254% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $2,032 | 1134% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $2,074 | 1157% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head at Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, KS, the cash price is $2,074, which matches the facility's negotiated rate with Healthy Blue Mcaid. While the facility's negotiated rate of $1,971 is lower than the gross charge, it is important to note that commercial insurance rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and claim processing costs. In this specific case, the cash price is identical to the highest negotiated rate found among the three payers, meaning patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find paying out-of-pocket the most cost-effective option. The facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, does not offer a lower cash price than its insurance contracts, so patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling to ensure they are not paying more than necessary.
The Medicare benchmark for this procedure is $179.20, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating pricing fairness. The facility's cash price of $2,074 represents a significant markup compared to the federal government's fixed reimbursement rate, a common characteristic of commercial billing structures where rates can average 200% to 300% of Medicare. Although the data does not provide specific county or state average comparisons for this exact code, patients should be aware that prompt-pay discounts, typically ranging from 20% to 50%, are often available for upfront payment to bypass insurance billing cycles and administrative fees. To maximize savings, patients should request a formal itemized bill to review every line item for errors or unbundled charges, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected through a written