CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: William Newton Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $451
- Cash Discount Price: $1,240
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.52x 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 252% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 152%). 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 | $433 | 242% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $446 - $1,240 | 249% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $446 - $456 | 249% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $446 - $1,116 | 249% |
| Providrs Care Nexus | $759 | 424% |
| Providrs Care - All Other Plans | $868 | 484% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head at William Newton Hospital in Winfield, KS, the cash price is $1,240, which matches the facility's gross chargemaster rate. This cash rate is significantly higher than the state average for this procedure, as indicated by the 2.5x multiplier relative to the Medicare benchmark of $179.20. While commercial insurance plans like Ambetter and UnitedHealthcare negotiate rates ranging from $446 to $1,240, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash rate directly, provided they verify that their specific plan's negotiated rate for this code is indeed higher than $1,240.
To minimize potential costs, consumers should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront. It is also critical to request a full itemized bill before agreeing to any payment plan, as summary bills often obscure individual charges that could be disputed. If you receive a balance bill from an out-of-network provider, remember that the No Surprises Act generally protects you from paying the difference between the provider's full rate and your insurance allowed amount for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Always dispute any unexpected charges in writing rather than accepting summary invoices, ensuring you have a clear record of the services rendered and the exact codes billed.