CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Kansas Medical Center Llc
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $162
- Cash Discount Price: $564
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $101 | 56% |
| Tricare | $145 | 81% |
| Indian Health | $145 | 81% |
| Medadv_Wellcare | $162 | 90% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $162 | 90% |
| Humana | $162 | 90% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $162 - $437 | 90% |
| Three_Rivers | $323 | 180% |
| Aetna | $450 | 251% |
| Wppa | $525 | 293% |
| United | $580 | 324% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70460, representing a CT scan of the head with contrast at Kansas Medical Center Llc in Andover, the facility's cash median price is $564.00, while the median amount paid by insurance is $344.00. This service is significantly more affordable for self-pay patients than for those using insurance, as the negotiated rates across various payers range from $101 to $580, with Blue Cross Blue Shield showing a wide variance between $162 and $437 depending on the plan. Given that the cash price is lower than the median insurance payment, patients with high-deductible plans may save money by paying out-of-pocket directly, provided they confirm the facility's "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still verify their specific plan's allowed amount to ensure they are not facing unexpected charges.
The facility's pricing structure is evaluated against federal benchmarks, where the Medicare amount for this procedure is $179.20. Commercial negotiated rates often exceed fair pricing standards, which typically fall between 120% and 150% of the Medicare rate, whereas many commercial contracts average 200% to 300% of this baseline. For this specific code, the highest negotiated rate observed is $580.00 from United Health, which represents a substantial markup compared to the Medicare benchmark. To minimize costs, patients should request a full itemized billing audit before paying, as over 80% of