CPT
70450 — CT scan of head/brain without contrast
Same scan can cost 5x more at a hospital than at an imaging center.
Imaging
70470 — CT head/brain with and without contrast
Head CT performed with and without IV contrast. More expensive than 70450 (no contrast) or 70460 (with contrast only).
- Typical setting: Hospital outpatient or imaging center
- National avg charge (illustrative): Insurance allowed $250-$800; cash freestanding $300-$1,000; hospital $1,500-$5,000+.
- Most-disputed reason: Billed as 70470 when only one phase was performed.
What it means
What 70470 actually means
CPT 70470 is a CT scan of the head/brain performed both with and without IV contrast. It's used when comparison between phases is clinically necessary.
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).
- Billed as 70470 when only one phase (no contrast or with contrast alone) was performed.
- Out-of-network radiologist balance billing.
- Hospital outpatient pricing premium.
If you see 70470 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 70470 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 70470 on a bill.
70470 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
Did I actually receive contrast?
Check your records. Contrast is administered intravenously and you'd usually be told beforehand and consented. If no contrast was given, 70470 (with-and-without) is incorrect — should be 70450 (without).
Don't pay 70470 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.