CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $2,435
- Cash Discount Price: $1,192
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 13.59x 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 1359% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1259%). 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 | 188% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $641 | 358% |
| Aetna | $954 - $2,384 | 532% |
| Medicare (plans) | $954 | 532% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $954 - $2,486 | 532% |
| Humana | $954 | 532% |
| Kansas Health | $954 | 532% |
| Multiplan | $2,682 - $2,772 | 1497% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $2,802 | 1564% |
| Wppa | $2,832 | 1580% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470, representing a CT scan of the head with and without contrast, the gross charge at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses is $2,981. This amount is significantly higher than the facility's cash median of $1,192 and the Medicare benchmark of $179.20. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Kansas, the negotiated rates vary widely among payers; for instance, Aetna plans range from $954 to $2,384, whereas Multiplan plans range from $2,682 to $2,772. These negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price, which can be advantageous for patients with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket limits, as paying the lower cash rate may result in less total spending than the insurance allowed amount.
Patients should be aware that assuming in-network status guarantees the lowest price is a common pitfall, as different insurers negotiate different rates for the same service. To potentially lower costs, individuals should contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, it is advisable to request a full itemized statement before paying to verify that no services were double-billed or unbundled. By comparing the facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark and actively seeking cash discounts or audits, consumers can better understand the true cost of care and avoid unexpected balance billing.