CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Stormont Vail Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $160
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.89x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter / Centene | $103 - $156 | 57% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $103 - $156 | 57% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $104 - $613 | 58% |
| Aetna | $160 - $164 | 89% |
| Humana | $160 - $164 | 89% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with contrast at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $103 to $613 depending on your specific insurance plan, with a median negotiated payment of $164. This rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. While commercial insurance contracts often result in higher prices due to administrative overhead and network tiering, patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price directly, as the facility's cash rate is not listed but could potentially be lower than the insurance allowed amount. It is important to note that while the facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital, the final cost depends heavily on your specific plan's negotiated agreement with the payer.
Before scheduling, you should actively request a self-pay or prompt-pay discount, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing costly insurance claims processing. If you are billed after receiving care, always demand a full itemized CPT-coded statement rather than accepting a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital invoices contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. If you encounter a balance bill from an out-of-network provider at this in-network facility, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans surprise billing for emergency and non-emergency services; in such cases, do not pay immediately but instead dispute the bill with your insurer to request a formal audit.