CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Goodland Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $1,065
- Cash Discount Price: $1,065
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.94x 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 594% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 494%). 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 | $458 | 256% |
| Wppa | $1,006 - $1,065 | 561% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,065 | 594% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head at Goodland Regional Medical Center, the cash median price is $1,065, which aligns exactly with the median negotiated rate for in-network payers like Wppa and UnitedHealthcare. While the facility's gross charge is $1,183, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash directly more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates do not exceed the cash price in this instance. It is important to note that while the facility is in-network for three payers, the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, though patients should still verify their specific plan details to ensure no unexpected ancillary charges occur.
The facility's pricing is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark, which stands at $179.20 for this procedure, reflecting a markup typical of commercial insurance contracts. Although the data does not provide specific county or state average comparisons for this CPT code, the substantial difference between the Medicare rate and the cash price highlights the impact of administrative overhead and network negotiations on final costs. To minimize expenses, patients are encouraged to request a prompt-pay discount or self-pay rate before scheduling, as paying in full upfront can sometimes bypass the higher administrative costs associated with insurance billing cycles.