CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Osborne County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $980
- Cash Discount Price: $921
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.47x 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 547% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 447%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $823 | 459% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $931 | 520% |
| Wppa | $1,029 | 574% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,061 | 592% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470, representing a CT scan of the head with and without contrast, the facility's cash median price is $921.00, which is lower than the gross charge of $1,083.00. While the negotiated rates for major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Health Partners of Kansas range from $823 to $1,061, these amounts are generally higher than the cash price. This pricing structure is typical for Critical Access Hospitals in Osborne County, where administrative costs and contract dynamics often result in negotiated rates exceeding cash-pay options. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash median directly, as this bypasses the administrative overhead and potential deductibles associated with insurance claims.
To minimize costs, it is recommended to verify the facility's "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount policies before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill. Although the facility is a government-owned Critical Access Hospital in Osborne, KS, and the data reflects the 2026-06 vintage, the specific negotiated rates vary by insurer. Consumers should avoid assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest price, as commercial rates can sometimes exceed cash prices. Additionally, since the Medicare amount for this service is $179.20, commercial negotiated rates are significantly higher than the federal benchmark, highlighting the importance of comparing allowed amounts against the cash price rather than relying solely on the hospital's chargemaster list.