CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Hamilton County Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $1,350
- Cash Discount Price: $1,500
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.53x 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 753% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 653%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $215 - $480 | 120% |
| First Health Coventry - All Plans | $1,275 | 711% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,425 | 795% |
| Cigna | $1,425 | 795% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $1,500 | 837% |
| Aetna | $2,550 | 1423% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
If you are paying cash for this CT scan, head procedure, you should know that the facility offers a cash price of $1,500, which is the median amount charged to self-pay patients. While this rate is higher than the median negotiated rate of $1,350 paid by insurance companies, it is important to note that cash payments can sometimes be more cost-effective for patients with high-deductible plans if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. To minimize costs, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by bypassing the administrative overhead of claims processing.
The broader pricing context for this service at Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, KS, shows a gross charge of $1,500 and a Medicare benchmark amount of $179.20. The facility's cash rate is significantly higher than the Medicare amount, reflecting the standard markup for commercial services, and aligns with the highest negotiated rates observed from payers like Aetna and Va Ccn. However, the cash price is notably different from the median negotiated rate of $1,350, indicating that insurance contracts may offer a lower ceiling than the direct cash price. For accurate financial planning, patients should verify their specific plan's negotiated rate against the facility's cash offer and request an itemized billing audit to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the final statement.