CT scan, head (with and without contrast)
Facility: Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 70470 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70470
- Insurance Median: $870
- Cash Discount Price: $1,743
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.85x 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 485% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 385%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri | $870 | 485% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head at the Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa, the facility's cash price of $1,743 is notably higher than the state average of $179.20 for this procedure. While the facility lists a gross charge of $2,179, the actual negotiated rate paid by the in-network payer, Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri, is $870, which remains significantly above the Medicare benchmark of $179.20. This disparity highlights that commercial insurance contracts often result in higher out-of-pocket costs for patients compared to cash-pay options, particularly for those with high-deductible plans where the insurance allowed amount may exceed the cash price.
Patients should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for out-of-network services at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act, yet it is crucial to request a full itemized billing audit to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered before finalizing payment. Although the facility offers a negotiated rate of $870, consumers can often reduce this cost by inquiring about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as paying in full upfront can sometimes bypass administrative overhead and lower the final amount. Given that the cash rate of $1,743 is the lowest available price point in this dataset, verifying the "self-pay" classification with the hospital prior to check-in is the most effective step to ensure the patient receives the best possible rate.