CPT 70450: CT Scan of Head (Without Contrast)
A computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain/head performed without contrast dye. It's the go-to test for head trauma, suspected bleeding, stroke workups, and severe headaches in the ER.
Category: Imaging | Typical bill: $800 - $4,000
⚠️ Prior authorization: Yes (often waived for emergency visits)
🎯 Am I being overcharged?
Enter what your bill says for CPT 70450 and we'll flag it against a typical fair range for this service.
Why your CT Scan of Head (Without Contrast) bill looks so high
Hospitals bill a "rack rate" that is often 2-10x higher than what Medicare pays or what insurers actually reimburse. The fair range for CPT 70450 is roughly $800 - $4,000 — but many facilities bill far beyond it.
Common reasons 70450 claims get denied
- Aetna: 'Not Medically Necessary' / lacks prior authorization. CT head without contrast often requires prior authorization under commercial plans. Your ER visit typically makes imaging an emergency, which waives pre-auth — request a retro-authorization citing the emergency.
- Facility coding error: 70460 used instead of 70450. 70460 is the WITH-contrast version and codes much higher. If no contrast was actually injected, ask to re-bill as 70450.
ER visits are almost always emergencies, so prior authorization should be waived. Ask for a retro-authorization and cite the emergency medical condition.
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