CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Vc Hope | $165 | 92% |
| Va | $165 | 92% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $165 | 92% |
| Via Christi Research | $165 | 92% |
| Humana | $165 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $165 - $168 | 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 Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc range from $165 to $461 depending on the payer. The lowest negotiated rate of $165 is consistent across several major payers including Vc Hope, Va, and Saint Lukes Health Systems, while the highest rate of $461 applies to UnitedHealthcare. The median negotiated rate for this service is $166.00, which aligns closely with the facility's cash median and the state average. For patients with high-deductible plans, it is important to note that cash-pay options can sometimes be more cost-effective than insurance negotiated rates if the insurer's allowed amount exceeds the cash price. Patients should verify with the hospital regarding "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can significantly reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative claim processing fees.
This facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital located in Wichita, KS, with a Medicare benchmarking ratio of 0.9, indicating that its rates are below the federal Medicare standard. While the facility's ownership structure and location in Kansas provide context for pricing, the specific data shows a wide variance in commercial rates, with Aetna's negotiated rate reaching up to $412. To ensure transparency, consumers should request an itemized billing audit before paying any invoice, as summary bills often obscure individual code costs and potential errors. Additionally, under the No Surprises Act, patients are protected from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, so they should not feel pressured to pay unexpected differences without first disputing the claim with