CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: University Of Kansas Health System - St Francis Campus
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $861
- Cash Discount Price: $630
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.80x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $179.2 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 480% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 380%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Oncology Patient Assistance Programs [2295] | $861 | 480% |
| Healthcare Highways [2210] | $861 | 480% |
| Black Lung [6055] | $861 | 480% |
| Web Tpa [2115] | $861 | 480% |
| Hooray Health [8000] | $861 | 480% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $861 | 480% |
| Aetna | $861 | 480% |
| Lucent Health [6000] | $861 | 480% |
| Department Of Corrections [1340] | $1,050 | 586% |
| American Postal Workers Union [1070] | $1,214 | 677% |
| Cigna | $1,214 | 677% |
| National Association Of Letter Carriers [1695] | $1,214 | 677% |
| Healthpartners [1500] | $1,214 | 677% |
| Humana | $1,239 | 691% |
| American Healthcare [1055] | $1,632 | 911% |
| Administrative Concepts [1005] | $1,632 | 911% |
| First Health [1375] | $1,632 | 911% |
| Multiplan [1680] | $1,632 | 911% |
| Coventry Healthcare [1320] | $1,722 | 961% |
| Ks Disability Determination [6090] | $2,101 | 1172% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with contrast at the University of Kansas Health System - St Francis Campus, the facility's cash median price is $630, which is significantly lower than the state average of $2,101. While commercial insurance negotiates a higher rate of $861 for many payers, this amount often exceeds the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying self-pay directly. To secure these lower rates, it is essential to request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling, as hospitals frequently offer 20% to 50% reductions for upfront payment that bypasses the administrative costs associated with insurance billing cycles.
Although the facility's negotiated rate of $861 is lower than its gross chargemaster of $2,101, patients should be aware that balance billing can still occur if they receive out-of-network ancillary services, such as specific lab tests or emergency physician care, even at an in-network hospital. Under the No Surprises Act, balance billing for these services is generally prohibited, but patients should verify their network status and refuse to sign consent waivers that might allow for unexpected out-of-network charges. If a bill arrives, consumers should demand a full itemized CPT-coded statement rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be resolved through a formal written audit dispute.