CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $166
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.93x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $165 | 92% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $165 | 92% |
| Va | $165 | 92% |
| Vc Hope | $165 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $165 - $168 | 92% |
| Via Christi Research | $165 | 92% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $168 - $461 | 94% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $168 | 94% |
| Corizon | $206 | 115% |
| Smarthealth | $230 | 128% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $280 | 156% |
| Aetna | $370 - $412 | 206% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70460, representing a CT scan of the head with contrast, the negotiated rates at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc. range from $165 to $461 across twelve payers, with a median negotiated amount of $166.00. This facility is located in Wichita, Kansas (ZIP 67214), and its pricing aligns closely with the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, showing a variance of 0.9%. While many commercial plans, such as Humana and Saint Lukes Health Systems, pay the exact Medicare amount of $165, others like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna negotiate significantly higher rates, reaching up to $412. Because commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and contract premiums that can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40% compared to the true cost of care, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling to ensure they are not paying above the fair market value.
Patients should be aware that cash-pay options may offer a lower total cost than the insurance negotiated rate, particularly for those with high-deductible plans where the out-of-pocket expense could exceed the facility's cash price. Although the data indicates no specific cash median was reported for this service, it is standard practice for hospitals to offer prompt-pay discounts, typically ranging from 20% to 50%, for patients who settle their bill upfront. To secure these savings, individuals should request a self-pay classification and a prompt-pay discount prior to check-in and sign a waiver of insurance submission to prevent automatic claims processing. Additionally, since over 80% of