CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $1,486
- Cash Discount Price: $2,703
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 13.91x 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 1391% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1291%). 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 | $484 | 453% |
| Tricare | $1,351 | 1265% |
| Humana | $1,351 | 1265% |
| Medicare (plans) | $1,365 | 1278% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,486 | 1391% |
| Coventry - All Other Plans | $2,432 | 2277% |
| Preferred Healthcare-All Plans | $2,567 | 2403% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas - All Plans | $2,567 | 2403% |
| Wppa/Providers Care-All Plans | $3,784 | 3543% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast at Memorial Hospital in Abilene, KS, the cash price is $2,703, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, the cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, reflecting a markup typical of commercial billing structures. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $2,703 upfront may be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for major payers like Coventry ($2,432) and Preferred Healthcare ($2,567) exceed the cash amount. Additionally, patients should verify if the facility offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full before or shortly after the service.
The data indicates that the facility's pricing structure is unique to this specific location and does not provide a direct comparison to state or county averages for this specific CPT code. However, the facility's rating of 2 suggests a need for careful review of the billing details before finalizing payment. To ensure you are not overcharged, we recommend requesting a full itemized bill that lists every CPT code and unit cost, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled charges. If you have insurance, be aware that while the facility is in-network for several plans, the administrative costs and contract dynamics often result in negotiated rates that are higher than the cash price, so checking your deductible status and asking for