CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Cloud County Health Center
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $3,091
- Cash Discount Price: $2,277
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 17.25x 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 1725% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1625%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $2,928 - $3,025 | 1634% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $3,091 | 1725% |
| Mpi-All Plans | $3,091 | 1725% |
| Pponext-All Plans | $3,091 | 1725% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients with high-deductible plans, paying cash directly for this CT scan of the head might be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the cash median price of $2,277 is lower than the negotiated rates of $3,091 paid by major payers like Aetna and Health Partners. While the facility's cash rate is significantly lower than the gross charge of $3,253, it is important to note that commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate out-of-pocket could result in higher out-of-pocket costs if the deductible has not yet been met. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed if settled upfront.
This procedure is billed at a rate that is 17.2% higher than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, reflecting the standard commercial markup for this Critical Access Hospital in Concordia, KS. Although the facility is a voluntary non-profit, the negotiated rates remain consistent across all four participating plans, ranging from $2,928 to $3,091. If a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider or encounters unexpected ancillary services, they may face balance billing for the difference between the provider's full charge and the insurance allowed amount. To avoid surprise costs, patients should request a detailed, itemized bill before paying and dispute any errors in writing, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes such as unbundled codes or services not rendered.