PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Cente
VancouverClark CountyAcute Care Hospitals
Head CT scan with and without contrast
Quality: 3 of 5 (CMS overall rating)Earliest available date: call (360) 256-2000
What you may pay
- With insurance from an employer or private plan
- $77.80 to $631
- Molina Healthcare of WA $77.80
- First Choice Health $178
- PremeraFirst: LifeWise Alpine $311 Lower than typical
- Pacific Source: Commercial PSN/Voyager $338 Lower than typical
- Regence Blue Shield $566 Typical
- Providence Health Plan $631 Typical
- Paying yourself (cash price)
- $1,467 – $1,511
Next step: ask the hospital for a Good Faith Estimate for this procedure (phone number above).
Bills to expect
A procedure usually brings several bills, each from whoever did that part of your care. Here is what to expect, with what Traditional Medicare allows for each doctor’s part in this area (Washington outside King County) and an estimate for private plans.
| Bill | Who sends it | How likely | Status | Traditional Medicare allows | Private plans (estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hospital's fee | The hospital | Expected | Published by the hospital: the prices above | — | — |
| Radiologist | The radiology group | Expected | Billed separately; amount estimated | $59 | $70 to $106 |
| Ordering doctor's visit | Your doctor | Possible | Billed separately; not priced | — | — |
What you’d pay for these bills
You pay about $76 to $83 of about $381 to $417 billed to your plan.
How each bill comes to you
Hospital's fee
- The provider's charge
- Not published
- Allowed amount
- $311
- Your plan pays
- $249
- Your coinsurance
- $62.24
- You owe
- $62.24
Radiologist
- The provider's charge
- Not published
- Allowed amount
- $69.87
- Your plan pays
- $55.89
- Your coinsurance
- $13.97
- You owe
- $13.97
- All bills: allowed amounts
- $381
- Your plan pays
- $305
- You owe in all
- $76.21
Who owes what, and when you might owe more
- The insurance adjustment Written off
An in-network provider agrees to accept your plan's allowed amount. The difference between its charge and that amount is written off: you don't owe it, and it shouldn't appear on your bill.
- Deductible You pay
What you pay each year before your plan starts sharing costs. It is applied to bills in the order your plan processes them, so the first bill can take all of it.
- Copay You pay
A fixed amount for a kind of care, such as a hospital stay or a surgeon's visit. Your plan's summary of benefits says whether it applies before or after the deductible, and whether a stay's copay is per day.
- Coinsurance You pay
Your percentage of the allowed amount after the deductible, such as 20%.
- Out-of-pocket maximum Your plan pays
Once your deductible, copays and coinsurance for the year reach it, your plan pays 100% of covered in-network care for the rest of the plan year.
- Each provider bills separately You pay
The hospital, surgeon, anesthesia group, radiologist and pathologist each send their own claim and their own bill. All of them count toward the same deductible and yearly maximum.
- Out of network and surprise bills It depends
A provider outside your plan's network can bill you the difference between its charge and what your plan pays (a balance bill). It can't for emergency care, or when anesthesia, radiology, pathology, an assistant surgeon or a hospital doctor treats you at an in-network hospital: under federal law (the No Surprises Act) and, for Washington-regulated plans and self-funded plans that opt in, RCW 48.49, those groups cannot balance bill you. Your deductible and coinsurance still apply, at in-network amounts.
- Not covered, or no prior authorization It depends
If your plan decides a service isn't covered, or it needed prior authorization that wasn't approved, the plan pays nothing for it and the provider may bill you. Ask the provider to get prior authorization before your care. If an in-network provider didn't get it, the provider's contract may stop it billing you: ask your plan before you pay.
- A second insurance It depends
If you have a second plan, the first plan pays first and the second may then pay some or all of your share. These estimates use one plan only.
- Wait for the Explanation of Benefits You pay
After each claim your insurer sends an Explanation of Benefits (EOB) with the allowed amount, what it paid and what you may owe. It is not a bill. Pay a provider's bill only when it matches the EOB's “you may owe” amount, and ask the provider or insurer about any difference.
- Help from the hospital It depends
Washington hospitals must give free or discounted care based on income, including deductibles and coinsurance for insured patients: free up to 200% or 300% of the federal poverty level depending on the hospital, with discounts above that (RCW 70.170). You can apply after you get a bill. It covers the hospital's bill; doctor groups that bill separately have their own policies.
- If you pay yourself instead You pay
You can choose not to use your insurance and pay the cash price; then nothing counts toward your deductible. Ask each provider for a Good Faith Estimate. If a bill is $400 or more above it, you can dispute it within 120 days.
Get it confirmed before your care
The hospital, each doctor’s group and your insurer can each confirm their part in writing. Here is a request for each one, ready to send from your own email, and what to say if you’d rather call. Nothing you do here is saved.
Coming: CareNavIQ will be able to send these for you, follow up, and tell you when everything is confirmed, with your permission.
PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Cente
Request to send
Subject: Estimate request: head ct scan with and without contrast at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Cente Hello, I am planning a head ct scan with and without contrast (billing code CPT 70470) at PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Cente. Under Washington law (RCW 70.01.030), I am asking for a written estimate of the hospital's charges, with the billing codes you plan to use. Name: [YOUR NAME] Date of birth: [DATE OF BIRTH] Insurance: [PLAN NAME], member ID [MEMBER ID] Planned date: [DATE, IF KNOWN] Thank you.
If you call. Call (360) 256-2000 and ask for the price estimate or patient financial services line. Say: "I'd like a written estimate for my head ct scan with and without contrast."
50 published prices, grouped by who each price applies to.
Cash price 2 prices
| Price | Part of the bill | Hospital’s description | How it’s set | Setting | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,467 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | — | Outpatient | — |
| $1,511 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | — | Outpatient | — |
List price (before discounts) 2 prices
| Price | Part of the bill | Hospital’s description | How it’s set | Setting | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $2,257 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | — | Outpatient | — |
| $2,325 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | — | Outpatient | — |
Commercial insurance 12 prices
| Payer | Plan | Price | Part of the bill | Hospital’s description | How it’s set | Setting | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| First Choice Health | Commercial | $178 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | fee schedule | Outpatient | — |
| First Choice Health | Commercial | $178 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | fee schedule | Outpatient | — |
| Molina Healthcare of WA | Commercial | $77.80 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Molina Healthcare of WA | Commercial | $77.80 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Pacific Source | Commercial PSN/Voyager | $338 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | fee schedule | Outpatient | — |
| Pacific Source | Commercial PSN/Voyager | $338 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | fee schedule | Outpatient | — |
| PremeraFirst | LifeWise Alpine | $311 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| PremeraFirst | LifeWise Alpine | $311 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Providence Health Plan | Commercial | $631 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Providence Health Plan | Commercial | $631 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Regence Blue Shield | Commercial | $566 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Regence Blue Shield | Commercial | $566 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
Medicare Advantage 26 prices
| Payer | Plan | Price | Part of the bill | Hospital’s description | How it’s set | Setting | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aetna Health | Medicare Advantage | $214 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Aetna Health | Medicare Advantage | $214 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Atrio Health Plans | Medicare Advantage | $224 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Atrio Health Plans | Medicare Advantage | $224 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Devoted | Medicare Advantage | $204 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Devoted | Medicare Advantage | $204 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Health Net Health Plan | Medicare Advantage | $214 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Health Net Health Plan | Medicare Advantage | $214 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Humana Health Plan | Medicare HMO/PPO | $214 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Humana Health Plan | Medicare HMO/PPO | $214 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Kaiser Northwest | Medicare Advantage | $202 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Kaiser Northwest | Medicare Advantage | $202 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Moda Health Plan | Medicare Advantage | $195 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Moda Health Plan | Medicare Advantage | $195 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Molina Healthcare of WA | Medicare Advantage | $208 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Molina Healthcare of WA | Medicare Advantage | $208 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Pacific Source | Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO | $204 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Pacific Source | Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO | $204 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Regence Blue Shield | Medicare Advantage HMO | $200 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Regence Blue Shield | Medicare Advantage HMO | $200 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Regence Blue Shield | Medicare Advantage PPO | $200 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Regence Blue Shield | Medicare Advantage PPO | $200 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| United Healthcare | Medicare Advantage | $204 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| United Healthcare | Medicare Advantage | $204 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Wellcare | Medicare Advantage | $214 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| Wellcare | Medicare Advantage | $214 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
Medicaid managed care 2 prices
| Payer | Plan | Price | Part of the bill | Hospital’s description | How it’s set | Setting | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaiser Northwest | Managed Medicaid | $202 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| Kaiser Northwest | Managed Medicaid | $202 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
Unknown 6 prices
| Payer | Plan | Price | Part of the bill | Hospital’s description | How it’s set | Setting | Source date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pacific Source | Coordinated Care (Ind and NonInd) | $319 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | fee schedule | Outpatient | — |
| Pacific Source | Coordinated Care (Ind and NonInd) | $319 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | fee schedule | Outpatient | — |
| United Healthcare | All Payer Appendix | $543 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
| United Healthcare | All Payer Appendix | $543 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| United Healthcare | Doctors Plan | $513 | Hospital’s fee | CT HEAD/BRAIN W/O & W/DYE | other | Outpatient | — |
| United Healthcare | Doctors Plan | $513 | Hospital’s fee | CT SCAN OF HEAD OR BRAIN BEFORE AND AFTER CONTRAST | other | Outpatient | — |
Doctors here who do this procedure
3 doctors affiliated with PeaceHealth Southwest Medical Cente billed Traditional Medicare for Head CT scan with and without contrast in 2024, most Medicare services first. See all doctors and practices, including those with no hospital affiliation.
| Doctor or practice | Practice | Medicare quality score | Times billed to Traditional Medicare (2024) | Traditional Medicare amount for their own service (2024) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milton Van Hise, MD | Swedish Health Services | 16 | $58.84 | |
| Brendan Mccullough, MD | Swedish Health Services | 14 | $59.27 | |
| William Brinkman, MD | Swedish Health Services | 11 | $58.52 |
Reading the doctor list
- A higher price doesn’t mean better care. The quality score and the price come from different CMS files and are shown separately on purpose.
- The amount is what Traditional Medicare (original Medicare) approved for the doctor’s or lab’s own service: Medicare’s payment plus the patient’s share. It is not what commercial insurance or Medicare Advantage pays, and the hospital or surgery center bills separately (surgery centers aren’t in this list).
- The Medicare quality score is CMS’s MIPS final score (0 to 100), based mostly on the doctor’s Medicare patients. About half of doctors aren’t scored, so Not rated says nothing bad about a doctor. A group’s score covers everyone in the group.
- CMS doesn’t publish counts under 11 patients, so doctors who rarely bill Medicare for this aren’t listed, and No price published means CMS has no amount for that setting.
- Medicare’s file doesn’t say where a doctor did the procedure, only that they billed it in Washington. Affiliations are the hospitals each doctor lists with Medicare.
See a price that looks wrong? Tell us about it.