CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- 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 this CT scan of the head (no contrast) at Lincoln County Hospital, the cash price is $1,193, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $1,325. However, the negotiated rate for Blue Cross Blue Shield is $480, meaning this patient would pay significantly less if they have this insurance. It is important to note that while cash payments can sometimes be cheaper for those with high-deductible plans, the insurance negotiated rate here is the lowest available option for this specific payer. Patients should verify their deductible status before scheduling, as they may still be responsible for the full $480 if their plan has not yet met its out-of-pocket threshold.
When comparing this service to the broader healthcare landscape, the facility's cash rate is notably higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, reflecting a standard commercial markup. The negotiated rate of $480 also exceeds the Medicare rate by a factor of 4.5, which is consistent with typical commercial pricing structures where rates average 200% to 300% of Medicare. If you are self-paying, you might consider asking the hospital about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% if paid upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims. Always request an itemized bill before paying to ensure no errors or unbundled charges are included.