CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Mcpherson Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $161
- Cash Discount Price: $1,039
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.90x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $42 - $2,434 | 23% |
| Tricare | $44 - $142 | 25% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $50 - $161 | 28% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv | $50 - $161 | 28% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $50 - $161 | 28% |
| Humana | $50 - $161 | 28% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $50 - $186 | 28% |
| Wellcare Mcr Adv - All Plans | $50 - $161 | 28% |
| Aetna | $50 - $2,434 | 28% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $62 - $2,191 | 35% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $122 - $2,434 | 68% |
| Health Blue Mcaid - All Other Plans | $125 - $2,483 | 70% |
| Central Plains - All Plans | $280 - $1,826 | 156% |
| Medical Associates - All Plans | $280 - $1,826 | 156% |
| Cigna | $354 - $2,312 | 198% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $354 - $2,312 | 198% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $1,704 | 951% |
| Christian Health Aid - All Plans | $1,947 | 1086% |
| First Health - All Plans | $2,312 | 1290% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with contrast at McPherson Hospital in McPherson, KS, the cash price is $1,039, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $1,404. While many insurance plans negotiate rates ranging from $42 to $2,483, the cash price is often a more predictable cost for patients with high-deductible plans, as it avoids the administrative markups inherent in commercial billing. It is important to note that some commercial negotiated rates, such as those from UnitedHealthcare or Aetna, can exceed the cash price, making self-pay a potentially cheaper option if you have not yet met your deductible. To secure the lowest possible rate, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can significantly lower the final bill.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a baseline rate of $179.20 for this procedure. The cash price of $1,039 represents a markup of approximately 5.8 times the Medicare rate, which is consistent with the typical range of 200% to 300% seen in commercial negotiations, though individual contracts vary widely. When reviewing your statement, ensure you receive an itemized bill that lists specific CPT codes rather than a summary total, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled charges. If you receive a balance bill for out-of-network services, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which prohibits providers from charging you the difference between their full rate and your insurance's allowed