CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: William Newton Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $430
- Cash Discount Price: $1,119
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.03x 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 403% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 303%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Triwest- All Plans | $391 | 366% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $403 - $1,007 | 377% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $403 - $1,119 | 377% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $403 - $456 | 377% |
| Providrs Care Nexus | $685 | 641% |
| Providrs Care - All Other Plans | $783 | 733% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast at William Newton Hospital in Winfield, KS, the cash price is $1,119.00, which matches the facility's cash median. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the negotiated rates for commercial payers range from $391 to $1,119, with the lowest negotiated amount being $391.00. This suggests that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the full cash price of $1,119.00 may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network rates vary significantly even within the same facility.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a fixed rate of $106.81 for this procedure. Commercial negotiated rates are substantially higher than this federal baseline, reflecting the complex administrative structures and multi-layered contract dynamics that inflate baseline prices by 20% to 40%. To minimize costs, patients should proactively request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts from the billing department before check-in, as these upfront payment incentives can bypass costly claims processing and reduce the final bill. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, patients should always request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary bill, and dispute any discrepancies in writing to ensure accurate pricing.