CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $635
- Cash Discount Price: $741
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.54x 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 354% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 254%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $350 | 195% |
| Providrs Care | $919 | 513% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with contrast at Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, KS, the facility's cash median price is $741.00, which is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by UnitedHealthcare ($350) and Providrs Care ($919). This price difference highlights a common billing dynamic where commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overheads that can result in higher out-of-pocket costs for patients with high-deductible plans compared to self-pay options. While the facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network rates do not always represent the lowest possible cost for the service.
To minimize financial exposure, consumers should proactively request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts from the billing department prior to check-in, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50%. Additionally, it is important to understand that the facility's negotiated rates are based on federal Medicare benchmarks of $179.20; commercial rates often exceed this baseline due to multi-layered contract structures and administrative processing costs. If you receive a bill after using insurance, you should request a detailed itemized statement to review for errors or unbundled codes, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be resolved through a formal written audit dispute.