CMS Price Transparency Data

CT scan, head (with and without contrast)

Facility: Pioneer Medical Center

Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70470
Insurance Median: $2,846
Cash Discount Price: $2,397
vs. Medicare Baseline: 15.88x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a CT scan, head (with and without contrast) at Pioneer Medical Center is $2,846. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $2,397. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $179.2, this hospital’s rate is 15.88x the Medicare baseline. Located in 301 W 7Th Ave, Big Timber, MT.

Cash / Self-Pay

$2,397

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$2,846

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$179.2

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $179.2 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $2,397 (1338%)

Insurance Median: $2,846 (1588%)

Cash: $2,397 (1338% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $2,846 (1588% of 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.

Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)

The negotiated rate at this facility is 1588% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1488%). 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
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$1,348 - $2,487	752%
Health Info Net Mcr Adv	$1,348	752%
Healtnet Federal-All Plans	$1,348	752%
Humana	$1,348 - $2,756	752%
Triwest Va Pccc-All Plans	$1,348	752%
UnitedHealthcare	$1,348 - $2,846	752%
Rocky Mountain Health Network-All Plans	$2,097	1170%
Allegiance Provider-All Plans	$2,547	1421%
Mountain Health Co-Op Hpn	$2,636	1471%
6 Degrees Health-All Plans	$2,846	1588%
Americas Choice-All Plans	$2,846	1588%
City Of Billings-All Plans	$2,846	1588%
Community Health Ntwk-All Plans	$2,846	1588%
Ebms Select Care Network-All Plans	$2,846	1588%
Fedmed Network-All Plans	$2,846	1588%
First Choice Big Sky-All Plans	$2,846	1588%
First Health-All Plans	$2,846	1588%
Interwest Ppo	$2,846	1588%
Mountain Health Co-Op-All Other Plans	$2,846	1588%
Pacific Source-All Plans	$2,846	1588%
Pacific Steel & Recycling-All Plans	$2,846	1588%
Three Rivers-All Plans	$2,846	1588%
Health Info Net Peak/Equity	$2,906	1622%
Health Info Net Standard-All Other Plans	$2,906	1622%
Mountain Health Co-Op Ppo/Pos	$2,936	1638%
Interwest Health Traditional-All Other Plans	$2,996	1672%

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 $2,397.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 70470.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Pioneer Medical Center is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 70470.
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.