CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $161
- Cash Discount Price: $1,057
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $158 | 88% |
| Providrs Care Network | $161 | 90% |
| Aetna | $161 - $201 | 90% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $161 - $462 | 90% |
| United Mine Workers Of America | $161 | 90% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $161 - $195 | 90% |
| Lantern Specialty Care | $257 | 143% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with contrast at Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital in Wichita, KS, the facility's cash median price is $1,057.00, which is lower than the gross charge of $1,626.00. While the data does not provide a specific county or state average for this procedure, the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare range from $161 to $462, significantly below the gross charge. Patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more advantageous if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds $1,057.00, as paying out-of-pocket could result in immediate savings. It is important to verify the facility's "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount policies before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can further lower the final cost.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $179.20, which serves as a critical baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup. The facility's cash rate of $1,057.00 represents a substantial increase over the Medicare amount, reflecting the administrative costs and profit margins inherent in commercial billing. If a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider, they could face balance billing for the difference between the full chargemaster rate and the insurance allowed amount, though the No Surprises Act protects emergency and non-emergency services at in-network facilities from such surprise bills. To ensure accuracy, patients should request an itemized billing audit to review every line item and confirm that no unbundled codes or services not rendered have been charged.