CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $98
- Cash Discount Price: $634
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.92x 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.
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 | $33 - $275 | 31% |
| Aetna | $34 - $111 | 32% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $34 - $136 | 32% |
| Providrs Care | $54 - $145 | 51% |
| Va | $98 | 92% |
| Humana | $98 - $99 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $98 - $100 | 92% |
| Smarthealth | $138 | 129% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $167 | 156% |
| Tricare | $174 | 163% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $520 - $548 | 487% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this CT scan of the head (no contrast) at Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, the cash price is $634.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $1,584.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna range from $33 to $275, these amounts are often higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated allowed amounts can sometimes exceed the cash rate. It is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying out-of-pocket might result in immediate savings if your insurance would otherwise cover a higher negotiated amount.
To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, you should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, if you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you have protections under the No Surprises Act that may prevent balance billing for emergency care or non-emergency services at in-network facilities. If you receive a summary bill, request a full itemized audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes that can be corrected through a formal written dispute.