CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $1,195
- Cash Discount Price: $727
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.67x 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 667% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 567%). 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 | $102 - $565 | 57% |
| Aetna | $102 - $1,453 | 57% |
| Cigna | $102 | 57% |
| Kaiser | $102 | 57% |
| Kansas Health | $102 | 57% |
| Medicare (plans) | $102 | 57% |
| Humana | $102 | 57% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $337 | 188% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,195 | 667% |
| Wpaa | $1,272 | 710% |
| Christian Health Aid | $1,453 | 811% |
| Multiplan | $1,453 - $1,635 | 811% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $1,635 | 912% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head at Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City, the facility's cash median price is $727.00, which is significantly lower than the state average of $1,195.00. While many commercial payers have negotiated rates ranging from $102 to $1,635, these amounts often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash rate directly. It is important to note that while the facility is in-network for most major insurers, the negotiated rates vary widely; for example, Aetna plans may face rates up to $1,453, whereas Cigna and Kansas Health have fixed rates of $102. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest possible cost is a common pitfall.
To ensure you are not overcharged, you should request an itemized billing audit before paying any balance bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a surprise bill from an out-of-network provider, the No Surprises Act may protect you from balance billing for emergency care or non-emergency services at in-network facilities; in such cases, you can dispute the bill with your insurer rather than paying immediately. Additionally, ask the hospital about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce your bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing. Always compare your final cost against the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, as this represents the true cost baseline,