CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $2,928
- Cash Discount Price: $2,277
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 16.34x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 1634% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1534%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 | $479 - $504 | 267% |
| Preferred Phsic | $1,952 | 1089% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $2,635 | 1470% |
| Aetna | $2,928 | 1634% |
| Cigna | $2,928 | 1634% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $2,928 | 1634% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $2,928 | 1634% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS, the facility's cash price of $2,277 is lower than the median negotiated rate of $2,635 paid by insurers. This difference highlights a common billing dynamic where commercial insurance contracts often result in higher costs than direct cash payment. While the facility's negotiated rates align with the median for this service, patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price directly, provided they verify that the insurance allowed amount does not exceed this figure. To maximize savings, it is recommended to explicitly request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts from the billing department before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final cost by bypassing administrative fees and claim processing delays.
When evaluating the cost of this procedure, it is important to compare the facility's pricing against objective benchmarks rather than the hospital's full chargemaster list. The Medicare reimbursement rate for this service is $179.20, and the facility's cash price represents a markup of 16.3% above this federal baseline, which is significantly lower than the typical 200% to 300% markup seen in commercial negotiated rates. This suggests the facility is pricing competitively relative to the true cost of care. Consumers should avoid accepting summary bills that obscure individual charges and instead request a detailed, itemized statement to ensure no errors or unbundled codes are present, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be resolved through a formal audit.