CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Sheridan County Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $662
- Cash Discount Price: $1,046
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.69x 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 369% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 269%). 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 | $633 | 353% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $662 | 369% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $994 | 555% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470, representing a CT scan of the head with and without contrast, Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, KS, lists a cash median price of $1,046.00. This cash rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, reflecting a markup of 3.7 times the federal baseline. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more affordable than their insurance negotiated rate of $662.00, provided they have already met their deductible. It is important to note that the insurance negotiated rate of $662.00 is lower than the cash price, but commercial rates often include administrative overhead that can make upfront payment less cost-effective for those with substantial out-of-pocket responsibilities.
When evaluating costs against regional standards, the facility's cash rate of $1,046.00 exceeds the median negotiated rate of $662.00 observed across the payer landscape, which ranges from $633 to $994 depending on the specific insurance carrier. Patients should be aware that hospitals often offer prompt-pay discounts for self-pay patients who settle their bill in full within a short window, potentially reducing the final amount owed. To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, it is recommended to explicitly ask the billing department about self-pay discounts or prompt-pay options before scheduling your visit, as these rates may differ from the standard insurance allowed amounts. Always request an itemized bill to verify that all charges align with the negotiated or cash rates and to avoid unexpected balance billing.