CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Wilson Medical Center
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $701
- Cash Discount Price: $657
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.91x 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 391% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 291%). 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 - $876 | 253% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $464 - $876 | 259% |
| Humana | $464 | 259% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $464 - $815 | 259% |
| Aetna | $464 - $876 | 259% |
| Tricare | $464 | 259% |
| Cigna | $701 | 391% |
| Mulitplan-All Plans | $806 | 450% |
| Health Partners-All Plans | $806 | 450% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470, representing a CT scan of the head with and without contrast, Wilson Medical Center in Neodesha, KS, lists a gross charge of $876.00. This amount is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, which serves as the federal baseline for the true cost of this service. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, the negotiated rates for commercial payers range from $453 to $876, with a median negotiated amount of $701.00. These figures are notably above the state of Kansas average, as indicated by the 3.9x multiplier relative to Medicare. Patients should be aware that while in-network insurance contracts cap charges at these negotiated levels, the actual amount you pay depends heavily on your specific plan's deductible status and out-of-pocket maximums.
If you are self-pay or have a high-deductible plan where your insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price, paying directly might result in lower costs. The facility's cash median price is $657.00, which is lower than the median negotiated rate of $701.00 and the gross charge of $876.00. To maximize savings, you should contact the billing department before scheduling to confirm if they offer a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, it is advisable to request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary bill, ensuring you can identify any