CT scan, sinuses
Facility: Liberty Hospital
Billing Code: 70486 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70486
- Insurance Median: $169
- Cash Discount Price: $610
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.58x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $42 - $1,709 | 39% |
| Aetna | $98 - $1,503 | 92% |
| Cigna | $98 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $98 - $169 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $99 - $107 | 93% |
| Humana | $100 | 94% |
| Healthy Blue | $105 | 98% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $124 | 116% |
| Home State Health | $143 | 134% |
| Fox Everett | $1,297 | 1214% |
| Phcs | $1,621 | 1518% |
| Multiplan | $1,794 | 1680% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this CT scan of the sinuses at Liberty Hospital in Liberty, MO, the cash payment rate of $610 is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $2,161 and represents a substantial discount compared to the state average. While the Medicare benchmark for this procedure is $106.81, the cash price of $610 exceeds the Medicare rate by a factor of roughly six, illustrating that cash rates often do not align with federal cost baselines. Patients should be aware that insurance negotiated rates, such as the $169 median for UnitedHealthcare or $1,794 for Multiplan, can sometimes exceed the cash price, making direct payment a potentially more cost-effective option for those with high-deductible plans.
Because negotiated rates vary widely among payers, it is crucial to verify your specific coverage before scheduling, as rates range from $42 for Blue Cross Blue Shield to $1,794 for Multiplan. Even if you have insurance, you may qualify for additional savings by asking the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final balance. To avoid unexpected costs, always request an itemized bill before paying and ensure you do not sign away your rights to dispute out-of-network charges, as federal protections like the No Surprises Act may prevent balance billing in certain scenarios.