Ct scan of head or brain before and after contrast
Medicare pricing data for 17,399 providers across 52 states
This procedure has a 5.5x markup — hospitals charge $452.29 but Medicare allows only $82.21. Uninsured patients may face bills 5.5 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Ct scan of head or brain before and after contrast (HCPCS code 70470) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $82.21, but hospitals typically charge $452.29 — a 5.5x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $82.21, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $16.44. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 5.5x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $62.32 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puerto Rico | $117 | $203 | 42 | 77 | +42.6% |
| Maryland | $109 | $480 | 397 | 1,409 | +32.6% |
| New Jersey | $106 | $565 | 384 | 1,240 | +28.4% |
| Florida | $104 | $587 | 1,333 | 5,582 | +27.1% |
| California | $104 | $540 | 1,461 | 4,768 | +27.0% |
| Nevada | $95 | $577 | 175 | 520 | +16.1% |
| Hawaii | $92 | $409 | 55 | 139 | +11.5% |
| New York | $91 | $446 | 814 | 3,205 | +10.6% |
| Alaska | $89 | $642 | 35 | 92 | +8.0% |
| District of Columbia | $88 | $366 | 46 | 149 | +6.8% |
| Texas | $87 | $614 | 1,419 | 5,595 | +6.2% |
| Arizona | $86 | $442 | 325 | 1,556 | +5.2% |
| Connecticut | $84 | $438 | 222 | 559 | +2.5% |
| Rhode Island | $84 | $380 | 69 | 179 | +2.0% |
| Washington | $82 | $390 | 292 | 784 | -0.0% |
| Virginia | $82 | $462 | 483 | 1,948 | -0.5% |
| New Mexico | $81 | $474 | 84 | 213 | -1.2% |
| Wyoming | $79 | $378 | 34 | 83 | -3.6% |
| Georgia | $78 | $478 | 497 | 1,644 | -4.8% |
| Tennessee | $78 | $431 | 548 | 2,113 | -4.9% |
| Utah | $78 | $285 | 124 | 324 | -5.7% |
| South Carolina | $77 | $491 | 347 | 1,230 | -6.0% |
| Arkansas | $77 | $348 | 262 | 1,906 | -6.8% |
| North Dakota | $76 | $525 | 54 | 206 | -7.5% |
| North Carolina | $76 | $449 | 561 | 1,854 | -7.7% |
| Alabama | $76 | $376 | 346 | 1,154 | -7.9% |
| Minnesota | $75 | $418 | 523 | 1,570 | -9.0% |
| Wisconsin | $74 | $579 | 307 | 890 | -9.5% |
| Oregon | $73 | $322 | 166 | 422 | -11.3% |
| Colorado | $73 | $392 | 278 | 746 | -11.5% |
| Massachusetts | $72 | $359 | 403 | 1,113 | -11.9% |
| Delaware | $71 | $296 | 55 | 241 | -13.1% |
| Kansas | $71 | $324 | 206 | 976 | -13.3% |
| Illinois | $71 | $449 | 765 | 2,579 | -13.5% |
| Louisiana | $71 | $407 | 295 | 1,157 | -14.2% |
| Kentucky | $69 | $324 | 248 | 1,002 | -16.1% |
| Pennsylvania | $69 | $321 | 768 | 2,087 | -16.2% |
| Iowa | $69 | $354 | 177 | 569 | -16.5% |
| Montana | $68 | $256 | 53 | 132 | -16.9% |
| Michigan | $68 | $313 | 441 | 1,650 | -16.9% |
| Maine | $68 | $310 | 51 | 130 | -17.2% |
| South Dakota | $68 | $299 | 60 | 174 | -17.6% |
| Ohio | $67 | $394 | 549 | 1,816 | -17.9% |
| Idaho | $67 | $343 | 67 | 159 | -18.9% |
| Missouri | $66 | $330 | 407 | 1,647 | -19.9% |
| Oklahoma | $66 | $384 | 226 | 1,026 | -19.9% |
| Nebraska | $65 | $296 | 151 | 912 | -20.9% |
| Indiana | $64 | $335 | 364 | 1,379 | -21.8% |
| Mississippi | $64 | $485 | 174 | 812 | -22.1% |
| New Hampshire | $64 | $466 | 87 | 241 | -22.3% |
| West Virginia | $63 | $306 | 123 | 617 | -23.1% |
| Vermont | $62 | $343 | 26 | 118 | -24.4% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
💊 Need post-procedure medications? Check costs on OpenPrescriber