CPT
70470 — CT head/brain with and without contrast
If contrast wasn't given, 70470 is the wrong code.
Imaging
70450 — CT scan of head/brain without contrast
A non-contrast head CT — common in ER, neuro, and trauma. One of the highest-variance prices in U.S. healthcare.
- Typical setting: Hospital imaging / radiology
- National avg charge (illustrative): Insurance allowed $130–$700; cash $500–$3,500+ at hospitals.
- Most-disputed reason: Hospital charging multiples of the Medicare or in-network rate.
What it means
What 70450 actually means
CPT 70450 is a CT scan of the head or brain without IV contrast. It's the workhorse head imaging study and is interpreted by a radiologist, who bills separately under a professional component (modifier 26).
Two charges for one scan is normal: technical (the scan itself) and professional (the radiologist's read). What's not normal is hospital pricing 5–10x what a freestanding imaging center charges for the identical study.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Technical and professional components both billed at hospital rates when the patient was actually scanned at a freestanding facility.
- Charged with contrast (70460) when the patient received no contrast — different code, higher price.
- Billed as part of an ER bundle and again as a separate outpatient charge.
- Out-of-network radiologist balance-billing despite an in-network facility (No Surprises Act protection often applies).
If you see 70450 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 70450 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
70486 — CT maxillofacial area; without contrast material
Imaging — verify professional + technical components weren't double-billed.
CPT
70551 — MRI brain without contrast
Same scan can be 5x cheaper at a freestanding imaging center.
CPT
71045 — Chest X-ray, single view
Same image can cost 10x more at a hospital than a freestanding imaging center.
CPT
71046 — Chest X-ray, two views (PA + lateral)
Two-view CXR is standard. Watch the price gap between hospital and freestanding.
CPT
71250 — CT thorax ; without contrast material
Imaging — verify professional + technical components weren't double-billed.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 70450 on a bill.
70450 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
Why does a head CT cost $3,500 at the hospital and $500 down the road?
Hospital outpatient pricing rules let facilities charge dramatically higher rates for identical scans. If your scan was non-emergent and elective, you usually have the right to choose a freestanding imaging center — and to ask for the hospital charge to be reconsidered if you weren't told this.
Don't pay 70450 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.