CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Sheridan County Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $662
- Cash Discount Price: $758
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.20x 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 620% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 520%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Insurance | $459 | 430% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $662 | 620% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $720 | 674% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast at Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, Kansas, the cash price is $758.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. This cash rate is significantly higher than the state average, as indicated by a 6.2% variance compared to Medicare benchmarks. While commercial insurance plans like Celtic Insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates ranging from $459 to $720, these figures represent the maximum amounts insurers will pay under contract, not necessarily the final out-of-pocket cost for patients. Patients with high-deductible plans should consider that paying the cash price of $758.00 upfront might be more cost-effective if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds this amount, though the data shows the cash price is currently the highest figure listed.
To minimize unexpected costs, patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status and ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full before services are rendered. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for emergency care at in-network facilities, patients should still request an itemized bill to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, disputing any summary bills with broad categories requires a formal written audit request sent to the billing supervisor to avoid paying inflated charges.