CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Wamego Health Center
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $62
- Cash Discount Price: $1,018
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.58x 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 - $107 | 31% |
| Aetna | $34 - $111 | 32% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $34 - $136 | 32% |
| Providrs Care | $54 - $145 | 51% |
| Tricare | $174 | 163% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $631 - $664 | 591% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head without contrast at Wamego Health Center, the cash price is $1,018, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $2,545. While insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Medicaid/KanCare have negotiated rates ranging from $33 to $145, these amounts are often higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price directly, as the $1,018 rate is already below the gross charge and avoids the potential for balance billing if the insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash rate. It is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying out-of-pocket might be cheaper if your insurance has not yet covered the service.
The facility's pricing is evaluated against the Medicare benchmark, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for healthcare costs. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $106.81, and the cash price of $1,018 represents a markup relative to this federal rate. While the data does not provide explicit state or county average comparisons for this specific CPT code, the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Wamego, KS, and offers voluntary non-profit ownership. To ensure you receive the best possible rate, we recommend asking the billing department about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, always request an itemized bill before paying to ensure no errors or unbundled charges are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain