CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Liberty Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $355
- Cash Discount Price: $678
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.98x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $63 - $1,904 | 35% |
| Aetna | $163 - $1,503 | 91% |
| Cigna | $163 | 91% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $163 - $303 | 91% |
| Medicare (plans) | $165 - $179 | 92% |
| Humana | $166 | 93% |
| Healthy Blue | $175 | 98% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $207 | 116% |
| Home State Health | $239 | 133% |
| Fox Everett | $1,438 - $1,444 | 802% |
| Phcs | $1,798 - $1,805 | 1003% |
| Multiplan | $1,990 - $1,998 | 1110% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients paying out-of-pocket, the cash price for this CT scan is $678, which you should verify against the facility's "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount rates before scheduling. While Liberty Hospital's cash rate is significantly lower than the gross charge of $2,402, commercial insurance plans often result in higher out-of-pocket costs due to administrative fees and negotiated ceilings; for instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield plans may pay up to $1,904, and Aetna plans up to $1,503, both exceeding the cash price. Because commercial rates frequently include multi-layered administrative structures that inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40%, self-pay can sometimes be the most economical option for those with high-deductible plans or those who have not yet met their deductible.
When evaluating the facility's pricing relative to the broader market, it is important to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the inflated chargemaster list. For this service, the Medicare amount is $179.20, which serves as the scientifically validated cost baseline used to evaluate hospital pricing markup. Liberty Hospital's cash rate of $678 represents a substantial markup above the federal government's fixed reimbursement rate, whereas the median negotiated rate of $355 reflects the contractual ceiling agreed upon by insurance carriers. Unlike the gross charge, the Medicare rate accounts for physician work, practice expense, and malpractice insurance, providing a more accurate picture of the true cost of care delivery.