CMS Price Transparency Data

CT scan, head (no contrast)

Facility: Essentia Health Sandstone

Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70450
Insurance Median: $1,167
Cash Discount Price: $1,259
vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.93x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a CT scan, head (no contrast) at Essentia Health Sandstone is $1,167. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $1,259. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $106.81, this hospital’s rate is 10.93x the Medicare baseline. Located in 705 Lundorff Drive South, Sandstone, MN.

Cash / Self-Pay

$1,259

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$1,167

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$106.81

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $106.81 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $1,259 (1179%)

Insurance Median: $1,167 (1093%)

Cash: $1,259 (1179% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $1,167 (1093% of 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 1093% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 993%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance Rate (%)

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group	Contract Rate Range	vs. Medicare Reference
Itasca Med Care	$106	99%
Primewest	$106	99%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$654 - $1,368	612%
Blue Plus Pmap Pcc Prime	$654 - $937	612%
Medica Access	$678 - $1,061	635%
Healthpartners Care Pmap	$685	641%
Sanford Healthplan	$730 - $769	683%
Advocare/Security Health	$800	749%
Freedom Blue Ppo	$800	749%
Healthpartners Care Msho / Mcr Adv	$800	749%
Imcare Msho Pcc Prime	$800	749%
Imcare Msho Ref Req	$800	749%
Medica Advantage Solutions	$800	749%
Medica Msho/Dual Solutions	$800	749%
Medica Prime Solution Group	$800	749%
Medicare (plans)	$800	749%
Nd Va Administration	$800	749%
Platinum Blue/Vantage Blue	$800	749%
Primewest Msho	$800	749%
Secure Blue Msho	$800	749%
Ubh Cost Plan	$800	749%
Ubh Msho	$800	749%
Ucare Msho	$800	749%
UnitedHealthcare	$800 - $1,550	749%
Ucare	$1,121	1050%
Healthpartners	$1,151 - $1,357	1078%
Medica	$1,218 - $1,354	1140%
Medica Uplan	$1,218	1140%
Wea	$1,226 - $1,311	1148%
America'S Ppo	$1,320	1236%
Cigna	$1,328 - $1,357	1243%
Healthpartners Pcc Prime	$1,328 - $1,357	1243%
Medica Choice	$1,395	1306%
Wps	$1,413 - $1,431	1323%
Aetna	$1,448	1356%
Security Health	$1,703	1594%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $1,259.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 70450.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Essentia Health Sandstone is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 70450.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.