CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Fredonia Regional Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $636
- Cash Discount Price: $706
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.95x 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 595% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 495%). 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 | $349 - $480 | 327% |
| Veterans Programs - All Plans | $360 | 337% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $360 - $636 | 337% |
| Aetna | $360 - $636 | 337% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $636 | 595% |
| Reserve National-All Plans | $636 | 595% |
| Cigna | $636 | 595% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast at Fredonia Regional Hospital in Fredonia, Kansas, the cash price is $706.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $636.00 and the Medicare benchmark of $106.81. While the gross charge listed is $706.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate of $636.00 exceeds the cash amount. It is important to note that the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, and while the data does not provide specific county or state average comparisons for this procedure, patients should always verify if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling to ensure they are receiving the lowest possible rate.
Under the No Surprises Act, patients are protected from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, though they should still review their itemized bill to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, requesting a formal, written itemized audit is the most effective way to identify and dispute charges before payment. If a patient receives a surprise bill, they should not pay immediately but instead contact their insurer to request a No Surprises Act audit or send a certified letter to the billing supervisor to formally dispute any inaccuracies.