CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Oakleaf Surgical Hospital
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $174
- Cash Discount Price: $1,408
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.97x 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 | $174 - $1,748 | 97% |
| Dean Health Plan | $174 | 97% |
| Group Health Cooperative Of Eau Claire | $174 | 97% |
| Healthpartners | $174 | 97% |
| Humana | $174 | 97% |
| Medica | $174 | 97% |
| Quartz Health Solutions | $174 | 97% |
| Security Health Plan Of Wi | $174 - $876 | 97% |
| Ucare Wi | $174 | 97% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $174 | 97% |
| Alliance | $869 | 485% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients paying out-of-pocket, the cash rate for this CT scan of the head is $1,408. While this facility is an Acute Care Hospital in Altoona, Wisconsin, the data indicates that paying cash directly may be the most cost-effective option if your insurance negotiated rate exceeds this amount, as commercial plans often pay significantly higher amounts due to administrative structures. It is important to verify with the hospital whether they offer a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the total cost.
The broader pricing context shows a stark difference between commercial insurance payments and the cash price. The facility's gross charge is listed at $1,564, while the median negotiated rate paid by insurance carriers is $174. For comparison, the Medicare amount for this service is $179.20, which serves as a benchmark for the true cost of delivery. Although the provided data does not include specific county or state average figures for this specific code, the significant gap between the gross charge and the negotiated rate highlights how commercial contracts can differ vastly from the facility's list price, making it essential to understand your specific plan's allowed amount.