CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Lane County Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $1,025
- Cash Discount Price: $1,025
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.72x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 572% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 472%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 | $922 - $1,025 | 515% |
| Aetna | $922 - $974 | 515% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $1,025 | 572% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,025 - $1,128 | 572% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $1,025 | 572% |
| Wppa Providers-All Plans | $1,538 | 858% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70460, representing a CT scan of the head with contrast, Lane County Hospital in Dighton, Kansas, lists a cash median price of $1,025. This amount aligns exactly with the facility's negotiated rates for UnitedHealthcare, Healthy Blue Medicaid plans, and the median paid amount, indicating that for many patients, the cash price matches the in-network allowed amount. The facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, and while the data does not provide specific county or state average comparisons for this procedure, the cash price is notably higher than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, reflecting a significant markup common in commercial billing structures.
Patients should be aware that while commercial insurance contracts often set a ceiling on what insurers will pay, the actual amount you owe depends on your specific plan's deductible and coinsurance. In cases where your insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, paying out-of-pocket might be more cost-effective, especially if you have a high deductible or are self-insured. Before scheduling, it is advisable to confirm whether "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, since the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, you can generally expect to pay only the negotiated or cash rate rather than the full chargemaster gross price of $1,025.