CPT 70450: CT scan of the head without contrast. What Medicare pays and what to ask
A head CT without contrast is a common ER test. Here is what 70450 means, with the Medicare rate and billing questions.
What this code means
CPT 70450 is a CT scan of the head or brain without contrast dye.
It is often ordered after a fall, a blow to the head or a sudden severe headache.
Why the bill can be much higher than the Medicare rate
The Medicare rate is the global amount, covering the scan and the reading.
A second line for the same scan (for example, billed as a repeat) is worth a clear explanation.
| If a line is billed at | It would be |
|---|---|
| 5x the Medicare rate | $532.75 |
| 10x the Medicare rate | $1,065.50 |
| 20x the Medicare rate | $2,131.00 |
The Medicare rate is a published benchmark, not a legal ceiling on what a provider may charge. Our free scan flags a line as worth a closer look when it is billed at more than 10 times the Medicare rate.
Questions worth asking before you pay
- Was one scan done, or more than one?
- Is the same scan listed twice on the bill?
- Is the radiologist's reading billed separately?
Check every line against the official Medicare rates in about a minute. The scan is free.
Related codes
Source: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (CMS, July 2026 release), national payment amount, non-facility setting. Last updated October 2026. This page is general information, not legal or medical advice. Rates change each year and a hospital bill can include charges that the benchmark does not cover.