CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Girard Medical Center
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $1,050
- Cash Discount Price: $1,800
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.86x 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 586% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 486%). 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 | $480 - $1,050 | 268% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,050 - $2,850 | 586% |
| Aetna | $1,050 - $5,250 | 586% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,050 | 586% |
| Medicare (plans) | $1,050 | 586% |
| Humana | $1,050 | 586% |
| Kansas Superior Select-All Plans | $1,050 | 586% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $2,775 | 1549% |
| Uhhis-All Plans | $2,850 | 1590% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head at Girard Medical Center, the cash median price is $1,800, which is significantly higher than the state average of $1,050. While this facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Kansas, patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay cash directly, as the negotiated rates for most insurance payers range from $1,050 to $2,850, often exceeding the cash price. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network contracts can vary widely; for instance, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have negotiated ranges that start at $1,050 but can reach up to $5,250 depending on the specific plan.
The facility's Medicare benchmark rate is $179.20, and the median negotiated payment across all payers is $1,050, which aligns with the state average. To minimize costs, patients should inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing the administrative overhead of insurance claims processing. If you receive a summary bill, request a full itemized statement to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written audit dispute.