CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $2,054
- Cash Discount Price: $1,006
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 19.23x 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 1923% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1823%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Centura Employee Plan | $337 | 316% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $641 | 600% |
| Kansas Health | $805 | 754% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $805 - $2,097 | 754% |
| Humana | $805 | 754% |
| Aetna | $805 - $2,011 | 754% |
| Medicare (plans) | $805 | 754% |
| Multiplan | $2,263 - $2,338 | 2119% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $2,363 | 2212% |
| Wppa | $2,388 | 2236% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70450 (CT scan, head, no contrast) at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, KS, the facility's cash median price is $1,006, which is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by most major insurers. While the hospital's gross charge is $2,514, commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have negotiated rates ranging from $805 to over $2,000, often exceeding the cash price. This pricing structure highlights a common billing dynamic where patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash rate of $1,006 directly, rather than relying on insurance to cover a higher negotiated amount. The facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit church, lists a cash median of $1,006, which is notably lower than the state average for this service, suggesting that self-pay or prompt-pay discounts could be a more cost-effective option for those without insurance or with limited coverage.
Patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for emergency care at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still arise from out-of-network ancillary services like emergency physicians or specific lab tests. If you receive a bill that appears to include balance billing, you have the right to dispute it with your insurer and request a No Surprises Act audit rather than paying immediately out of fear of credit damage. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, it is crucial to request a full itemized CPT-coded bill before agreeing to any payment plan or settlement. If you are unsure whether your specific plan covers this service