CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Hospital District #6 Patterson Health Center
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $855
- Cash Discount Price: $760
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.00x 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 $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 800% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 700%). 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 | $430 - $453 | 403% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $855 - $950 | 800% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $1,662 | 1556% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this CT scan of the head (no contrast) at Hospital District #6 Patterson Health Center in Anthony, KS, the facility's cash median rate is $760.00, which is lower than the negotiated rates paid by UnitedHealthcare at $855.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government district, patients should be aware that cash payments can sometimes be more cost-effective than using insurance, particularly if your plan has a high deductible or if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. To secure the lowest possible cost, it is recommended to explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can bypass the administrative overhead associated with insurance billing cycles.
When evaluating this price, it is important to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's full chargemaster list, as commercial rates often include significant markups. Although the data provided does not include specific state or county average figures for comparison, the Medicare amount for this service is $106.81, which serves as the objective baseline for assessing the facility's pricing markup. If you receive a bill that appears higher than expected, you should request a detailed, itemized statement to verify that all charges are accurate and that no services were unbundled or double-billed, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written audit dispute.