CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Mercy Hospital Columbus
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $1,644
- Cash Discount Price: $1,472
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.17x 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 917% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 817%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Centivo Contracted [320505] | $23 | 13% |
| Humana | $82 - $2,152 | 46% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $82 - $1,644 | 46% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $152 - $1,644 | 85% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $152 - $1,880 | 85% |
| Medicare (plans) | $167 - $1,710 | 93% |
| Health Systems Inc Contracted [320174] | $974 | 544% |
| Insurance System Inc Contracted [320465] | $974 | 544% |
| Administrative Payor Contracted [320005] | $1,019 | 569% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,644 | 917% |
| Centurion Of Missouri [20459] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Aetna | $1,644 - $2,038 | 917% |
| Novasys Contracted [320285] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Home State Health Plan Contracted [320187] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Indian Health Service Contracted [320198] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Globalhealth Contracted [320145] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Cigna | $1,644 | 917% |
| Mercy Hospice Okc [20252] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Medical Associates Health Contracted [320444] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Kindful Hospice [20434] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Qual Choice Contracted [320325] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Mercy Mgd Behavioral Health Contracted [320259] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Cross Timbers Hospice [20098] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450] | $1,644 | 917% |
| Tricare | $1,650 | 921% |
| Healthscope Contracted [320182] | $1,746 | 974% |
| Workers Comp [20426] | $1,812 - $1,925 | 1011% |
| United Medical Resources Contracted [320454] | $1,880 - $2,152 | 1049% |
| Medica Contracted [320239] | $2,029 | 1132% |
| Preferred Health Plan Contracted [320522] | $2,038 | 1137% |
| Federal Medical Center Contracted [320127] | $2,038 | 1137% |
| First Health Contracted [320128] | $2,038 | 1137% |
| Usa Managed Care Org Contracted [320429] | $2,038 | 1137% |
| Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251] | $2,038 - $2,152 | 1137% |
| American Healthcare Alliance Contracted [320020] | $2,038 | 1137% |
| Healthlink Contracted [320179] | $2,038 - $2,152 | 1137% |
| Private Health Care Systems Contracted [320320] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| Ebms Contracted [320493] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| 90 Degree Benefits Contracted [320436] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| Auxiant Contracted [320462] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| Aither Health Contracted [320449] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| Imagine 360 Contracted [320494] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| Yuzu Health Contracted [320521] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| Reflect Health Contracted [320492] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| Ppo Plus Contracted [320310] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| Benefit Management Contracted [320052] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| Edison Health Solutions Contracted [320502] | $2,152 | 1201% |
| Point C Contracted [320238] | $2,152 | 1201% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with contrast at Mercy Hospital Columbus, the facility's cash price is $1,472, which is lower than the gross charge of $2,265. While many commercial insurance plans negotiate rates as high as $2,152, the cash rate offers a potential savings for patients with high-deductible plans or those who can pay upfront. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract structures; therefore, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling to ensure they are not paying the full insurance allowed amount.
The facility's cash rate of $1,472 is also notably lower than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20 when adjusted for the facility's specific cost basis and geographic location, though this comparison highlights the significant markup inherent in commercial pricing models. Medicare typically serves as the most reliable baseline for evaluating fair pricing, as commercial rates can vary widely between payers, ranging from $23 to $2,152 depending on the specific insurance contract. To avoid unexpected balance billing, patients should verify their network status and request an itemized bill if they receive a summary invoice, ensuring all charges are accurate and compliant with federal protections like the No Surprises Act.