CT scan, chest (no contrast)
Facility: Fredonia Regional Hospital
Billing Code: 71250 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71250
- Insurance Median: $571
- Cash Discount Price: $635
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.35x 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 535% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 435%). 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 | $314 - $480 | 294% |
| Aetna | $324 - $571 | 303% |
| Veterans Programs - All Plans | $324 | 303% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $324 - $571 | 303% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $571 | 535% |
| Cigna | $571 | 535% |
| Reserve National-All Plans | $571 | 535% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the chest without contrast at Fredonia Regional Hospital in Kansas, the cash price is $635.00, which matches the cash median for this procedure. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna negotiate rates ranging from $314 to $571, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price for patients with high-deductible plans. Because commercial rates include administrative costs and contract premiums that can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40%, paying cash upfront can sometimes result in a lower out-of-pocket cost than using insurance. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network facilities charge significantly more than others for the same service.
The facility's negotiated rate of $571.00 is notably higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, reflecting a markup common in commercial healthcare pricing. To minimize costs, patients should inquire directly with the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid in full before or shortly after the service. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, it is advisable to request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary bill, and to dispute any discrepancies in writing to ensure you are only paying for services rendered.