CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $168
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.94x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare (plans) | $165 - $168 | 92% |
| Va | $165 | 92% |
| Humana | $165 | 92% |
| Vc Hope | $165 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $168 - $461 | 94% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $168 | 94% |
| Aetna | $188 - $863 | 105% |
| Smarthealth | $230 | 128% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $280 | 156% |
| Cigna | $383 | 214% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70470 (CT scan, head with and without contrast), Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc in Wichita, KS, has a negotiated rate of $168.00, which aligns with the lowest and highest rates charged by several major payers including Medicare, VA, and Humana. This negotiated amount is significantly lower than the commercial rates seen with UnitedHealthcare ($168–$461), Aetna ($188–$863), and Medicaid/KanCare ($280). While the facility does not list a specific cash price, patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying out-of-pocket is more cost-effective if the insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and can range from 200% to 300% of the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, whereas fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150% of this baseline.
Patients should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for in-network services under the No Surprises Act, meaning the facility cannot bill you for the difference between their chargemaster and the insurance payment. However, if you choose to pay cash directly, you may be eligible for a prompt-pay discount, which can reduce the final cost by 20% to 50% by bypassing the insurance claims cycle. Before scheduling, it is advisable to explicitly request a self-pay classification and confirm the availability of prompt-pay discounts to ensure you receive the lowest possible rate. Additionally, if you do receive an invoice, always demand a full itemized