CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Clay County Medical Center
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $124
- Cash Discount Price: $1,142
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.69x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplan- All Plans | $59 - $2,046 | 33% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $75 - $2,046 | 42% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $76 - $2,046 | 42% |
| Wppa/Providrs Care- All Plans | $122 - $2,003 | 68% |
| Aetna | $122 - $2,003 | 68% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head at Clay County Medical Center, the cash price is $1,142, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $1,24.00. This cash price is significantly lower than the commercial negotiated rates paid by major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, which range from $75 to $2,046 depending on the plan. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Clay Center, KS, with a government-local ownership structure, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling. It is important to note that for individuals with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's negotiated rate often exceeds the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics.
To ensure you are not overcharged, request a full itemized bill that lists every CPT code and unit cost, as summary bills often hide errors or unbundled charges. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes, reviewing the line-by-line statement is the most effective way to identify services not rendered or duplicate billing. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if you settle the bill in full within 30 days. This discount bypasses the costly insurance claims process, providing immediate liquidity to the facility in exchange for a reduced fee. Finally, remember that the Medicare benchmark for this service is $179.20, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup against the true cost of care.