CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Scott County Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $1,036
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.70x 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 970% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 870%). 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 | $60 - $1,380 | 56% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $480 | 449% |
| Humana | $610 | 571% |
| Wppa | $872 - $1,200 | 816% |
| Aetna | $1,308 | 1225% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70450, representing a CT scan of the head without contrast, Scott County Hospital's negotiated rates range from $480 to $1,380 depending on the insurance carrier. While the facility's median negotiated rate of $1,036 is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, reflecting a common markup of over 900% for commercial plans, patients should be aware that cash prices are often lower. In this specific case, the cash median is not available in the current data, but patients with high-deductible plans may find it beneficial to pay directly if the insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price. It is always advisable to ask the hospital about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the total cost by bypassing administrative fees and insurance processing delays.
The facility is located in Scott City, Kansas, and operates as a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure. While the data does not provide specific cash or median paid figures for comparison against state or county averages, the wide variation in payer rates—from $480 for Blue Cross Blue Shield to $1,308 for Aetna—highlights the importance of verifying your specific plan's allowed amount. Under the No Surprises Act, patients are protected from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, though unexpected charges can still occur for ancillary services if not properly reviewed. To ensure accuracy, patients should request a full itemized bill that lists every CPT code and unit cost, allowing them to identify any errors, unbundled charges, or services not rendered before finalizing payment.