CT scan, head (no contrast)
Facility: Lindsborg Community Hospital
Billing Code: 70450 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70450
- Insurance Median: $2,473
- Cash Discount Price: $1,892
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 23.15x 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 2315% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 2215%). 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 | $453 | 424% |
| Tricare | $1,270 | 1189% |
| Coventry Mcr Adv | $1,283 | 1201% |
| Cigna | $2,297 | 2151% |
| Coventry Comm-All Other Plans | $2,432 | 2277% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2,432 | 2277% |
| Phcs Preferred-All Plans | $2,513 | 2353% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $2,513 | 2353% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $2,567 | 2403% |
| Coventry Wc | $2,567 | 2403% |
| Health Partners -All Plans | $2,567 | 2403% |
| Century Health-All Plans | $2,567 | 2403% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70450 (CT scan, head without contrast) at Lindsborg Community Hospital in Lindsborg, KS, the facility's cash median rate is $1,892.00, while the median negotiated rate paid by insurers is $2,513.00. This data reflects a scenario where paying out-of-pocket can be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates exceed the cash price. The facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit, lists a gross charge of $2,703.00, but patients should be aware that commercial payers like Cigna and Coventry Mcr Adv negotiate rates significantly higher than the cash option. Because the cash rate is lower than the insurer's allowed amount, patients with high-deductible plans may save money by paying directly, provided they verify the facility's "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling.
It is important to understand that the $2,513.00 median negotiated rate represents the amount insurers agree to pay, which often includes administrative costs and does not reflect the true cost of care. When comparing this to the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, the facility's pricing structure reveals a significant markup, a common practice in the healthcare industry where commercial rates can average 200% to 300% of Medicare rates. If a patient receives this service out-of-network, they could face balance billing for the difference between the facility's full charge and the insurer's payment, though the No Surprises Act protects against such surprise bills for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. To ensure