CMS Price Transparency Data

CT scan, head (with and without contrast)

Facility: North Carolina Baptist Hospital

Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70470
Insurance Median: $1,178
Cash Discount Price: $1,829
vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.57x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a CT scan, head (with and without contrast) at North Carolina Baptist Hospital is $1,178. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $1,829. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $179.2, this hospital’s rate is 6.57x the Medicare baseline. Located in Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC.

Cash / Self-Pay

$1,829

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$1,178

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: $1,829 (1021%)

Insurance Median: $1,178 (657%)

Cash: $1,829 (1021% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $1,178 (657% 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 657% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 557%). 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
Aetna	$172 - $3,192	96%
Apex	$172	96%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$172 - $1,380	96%
Cigna	$172 - $2,253	96%
Devoted	$172	96%
Healthteam	$172	96%
UnitedHealthcare	$172 - $1,178	96%
Wellcare	$172 - $860	96%
Humana	$174 - $2,054	97%
Medicare (plans)	$174	97%
Liberty	$198	110%
Medcost	$705 - $2,497	393%
Amerihealth	$804 - $1,012	449%
Carolina Complete	$804 - $849	449%
Health Blue	$804 - $849	449%
Partners	$804 - $849	449%
Vaya	$813 - $857	454%
Alliance	$820 - $866	458%
Trillium	$829 - $874	463%
Ambetter / Centene	$961 - $1,014	536%
Oscar	$1,068 - $1,352	596%
Directnet	$2,103 - $2,219	1174%
Cone Health	$2,491 - $2,628	1390%
Healthgram	$2,491 - $2,628	1390%
First Carolina Care	$2,847 - $3,004	1589%
Private Healthcare Systems	$2,918 - $3,079	1628%
Multiplan	$3,203 - $3,380	1787%

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 $1,829.
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 North Carolina Baptist Hospital 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.