CT scan, chest (no contrast)
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 71250 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71250
- Insurance Median: $480
- Cash Discount Price: $1,193
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.49x 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 449% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 349%). 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 | $480 | 449% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the chest without contrast at Lincoln County Hospital, the cash median price is $1,193.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $480.00 paid by Blue Cross Blue Shield. While the negotiated rate appears lower than the cash price in this specific dataset, it is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and do not reflect the true cost basis; Medicare rates for this procedure are only $106.81, meaning the cash price is roughly 11 times the Medicare benchmark. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash median of $1,193.00 more cost-effective than facing a negotiated rate that could exceed their out-of-pocket maximum, provided they have not yet met their deductible.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, always request an itemized bill before finalizing payment, as summary bills often obscure individual charges and potential errors. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total amount due by 20% to 50% if settled upfront. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Lincoln, KS, and while specific state or county average comparisons for this exact procedure were not provided in the data, understanding the difference between the gross charge of $1,325.00 and the actual cash or negotiated rates is essential for avoiding unnecessary debt.