CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Children'S Mercy South
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $89
- Cash Discount Price: $657
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.83x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $35 - $1,760 | 33% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $37 - $70 | 35% |
| Healthy Blue | $37 - $273 | 35% |
| Cigna | $39 - $1,820 | 37% |
| Home State Health | $48 - $240 | 45% |
| Wppa Providrs Care | $51 - $1,702 | 48% |
| Healthlink | $52 - $2,305 | 49% |
| Health Midwest Comprehensive Care | $54 - $1,705 | 51% |
| American Healthcare Alliance | $57 - $2,226 | 53% |
| Quiktrip | $60 - $1,705 | 56% |
| Medica | $70 - $1,527 | 66% |
| Multiplan | $74 - $1,990 | 69% |
| Wellfit/Centrus | $75 - $1,702 | 70% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $75 - $1,938 | 70% |
| Aetna | $77 - $1,781 | 72% |
| Centivo | $77 - $1,702 | 72% |
| Humana | $78 - $1,742 | 73% |
| Orscheln | $79 - $1,702 | 74% |
| Nebraska Furniture Mart | $80 - $1,702 | 75% |
| Mercy Health | $88 - $1,964 | 82% |
| Coxhealth Network | $89 - $1,938 | 83% |
| Coventry Health Care Of Kansas | $97 - $1,938 | 91% |
| National Preferred Provider Network | $106 - $2,357 | 99% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70450, representing a CT scan of the head without contrast, the facility's cash median rate is $657.00, which is significantly lower than the gross charge of $1,370.00. While the facility's negotiated rates vary widely among payers—ranging from a low of $35 with UnitedHealthcare to a high of $2,357 with the National Preferred Provider Network—these 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 median directly, as the insurance negotiated rates can sometimes be substantially higher than the self-pay amount. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as assuming that in-network coverage automatically results in the lowest possible cost can lead to unexpected expenses if the insurer's rate is higher than the cash price.
To ensure you are receiving fair pricing, it is recommended to compare these rates against the Medicare benchmark, which serves as the objective baseline for healthcare costs. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $106.81, and the facility's negotiated median of $89.00 aligns closely with fair pricing standards, whereas the gross charge represents a significant markup. Additionally, patients should inquire about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims. If you receive a bill after using insurance, request a detailed itemized audit to identify any errors, double-billing, or unbundled codes, as over 80% of hospital