CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $1,791
- Cash Discount Price: $1,697
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.99x 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 999% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 899%). 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 | $179 - $1,885 | 100% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $458 | 256% |
| Triwest Well Mark All Plans | $1,602 | 894% |
| Aetna | $1,696 | 946% |
| Pref Hlth Care Sytms Comm - All Plans | $1,696 | 946% |
| First Health-All Plans | $1,696 | 946% |
| Phc Leased Ntwrk Access - All Plans | $1,791 | 999% |
| Multiplan Ppo - All Plans | $1,791 | 999% |
| Auxiant-All Plans | $1,791 | 999% |
| Health Partners Ks-All Plans | $1,866 | 1041% |
| Cigna | $1,866 | 1041% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470, representing a CT scan of the head with and without contrast, the facility cash price of $1,697 is significantly lower than the median negotiated rate of $1,791 paid by insurance plans. This price difference suggests that patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may save money by paying cash directly, as the cash rate is already below the average amount insurers negotiate. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Beloit, Kansas, with a government-local ownership structure, the cash price remains competitive relative to the broader market, though specific county or state averages were not provided in the data to make a direct comparison.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $179.20, which serves as a baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing structure. The cash price of $1,697 represents a substantial markup over the Medicare rate, reflecting the comprehensive nature of the procedure and the facility's operational costs. However, commercial insurance plans in the area negotiate rates ranging from $179 to $1,885, with most plans settling around $1,791. To minimize costs, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling and inquire about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, if you receive an itemized bill, review it carefully to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered have inflated the total, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal audit.