Heads up: Without-contrast head CT (70450) is the baseline. With-contrast versions run 30–60% higher depending on the hospital.
Head CT scans are ordered for headache, head injury, stroke symptoms, or neurological changes. They're faster than MRI and typically the first scan ordered in an emergency. Contrast dye improves visibility of blood vessels and tumors.
Tip: ER head CTs for injury or headache are almost always 70450. 70470 is common for tumor follow-up.
| Code | Variant | When it applies | |
|---|---|---|---|
| CPT 70450 | Without contrast | Standard head CT — fastest, most common in ER | See exact rates → |
| CPT 70460 | With contrast | Dye enhances visibility of vessels/tumors | See exact rates → |
| CPT 70470 | With and without contrast | Both scans performed | See exact rates → |
Ranges span all billing codes for this procedure. Actual rate depends on which variant is performed.
| Insurance | AdventHealth Tampa | AdventHealth Wesley Chapel | AdventHealth Zephyrhills | HCA Florida Brandon Hospital | HCA Florida Largo Hospital | HCA Florida South Tampa Hospital | HCA Florida Trinity Hospital | HCA Florida West Tampa Hospital |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cigna | $198–$408Best | $202–$417 | $201–$414 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Oscar Health | $204–$341Best | $211–$353 | $232–$388 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Molina | $226Best | $226Best | $226Best | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered |
| Aetna | $258–$476 | $258–$476 | $232–$356Best | $1,404 | $1,404 | $1,404 | $1,404 | $1,404 |
| Humana | $750Best | $1,905–$2,551 | $1,138–$1,542 | — | — | — | — | — |
| Workers Comp | — | — | — | $2,074–$3,342Best | $2,074–$3,342Best | $2,074–$3,342Best | $2,074–$3,342Best | $2,074–$3,342Best |
| Multiplan | $3,042–$3,962Best | $5,381–$7,206 | $5,381–$7,206 | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered | $0 covered |
Source: Hospital price transparency files (federally required). Facility fees only.
Each hospital negotiates separate contracts with every insurer. For the same procedure, the rate can differ by 3–5x between hospital systems — larger systems have more leverage and command higher rates.
Facility fee only. The physician performing this procedure bills separately. Your out-of-pocket depends on your deductible and coinsurance. Federal law requires hospitals to provide a Good Faith Estimate before any non-emergency procedure.