CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $635
- Cash Discount Price: $741
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.95x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 595% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 495%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $350 | 328% |
| Providrs Care | $919 | 860% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast at Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, KS, the facility's cash median price is $741.00, which is lower than the negotiated rates paid by UnitedHealthcare ($350) and Providrs Care ($919). While commercial insurance contracts often set a ceiling on what insurers pay, these negotiated amounts can sometimes exceed what a patient pays out-of-pocket, particularly if their plan has a high deductible. The facility's cash rate is also significantly lower than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81 for this procedure, indicating a substantial markup relative to the federal government's cost-based reimbursement. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the cash price upfront may result in immediate savings compared to the higher negotiated rates their insurer would otherwise apply.
To ensure you receive the best possible price, it is important to ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before check-in, as these programs can offer fee reductions of 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Since the facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital, they may have specific financial assistance options that are not reflected in the standard billing data. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, it is crucial to request an itemized bill to confirm that no unexpected charges were added. Always compare the facility's rates against local benchmarks, noting that this specific service does not have a listed county or state average for direct comparison in the current data, but the cash price remains a strong indicator of potential savings over standard insurance processing.