CT scan, sinuses
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 70486 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70486
- Insurance Median: $1,140
- Cash Discount Price: $900
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.67x 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 $106.81 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 1067% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 967%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers - All Plans | $1,020 | 955% |
| Aetna | $1,080 | 1011% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $1,080 | 1011% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,140 | 1067% |
| Cigna | $1,140 | 1067% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $1,140 | 1067% |
| First Health - All Plans | $1,140 | 1067% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CT scan of the sinuses at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, KS, the negotiated rates for in-network insurance plans are consistently $1,140, which matches the median paid amount. This rate is significantly higher than the cash price of $900, illustrating that commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overheads that inflate the baseline cost. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, the negotiated rate is 10.7% higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price of $900 directly, as this avoids the multi-layered administrative structures and contract dynamics that typically push insurance rates higher.
To potentially lower your out-of-pocket costs, you should verify if the hospital offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling your visit, as these upfront payment incentives can bypass costly claims processing and reduce administrative fees. It is also important to request a full itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary bill, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes that could be corrected. Given that the facility is located in a rural carrier area with a single plan option, it is crucial to confirm your specific deductible status before proceeding, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible threshold can result in substantial unexpected expenses.