CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Stafford County Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $775
- Cash Discount Price: $775
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.32x 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 432% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 332%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Health Partners-All Plans | $736 | 411% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $775 | 432% |
| Medica Mcr- All Plans | $775 | 432% |
| Humana | $775 | 432% |
| Va Ccn-All Plans | $775 | 432% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70460 (CT scan, head with contrast), Stafford County Hospital lists a cash price of $775.00, which matches the median negotiated rate across all five major payers, including UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Medica Mcr. This rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, reflecting a markup common in commercial pricing structures where administrative costs and contract dynamics often inflate the baseline price. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Stafford, KS, and is government-owned, the data indicates no variation in pricing between cash-pay and insurance negotiated rates for this specific service, meaning patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price to be the most predictable option if they have not yet met their deductible.
Because the cash price equals the negotiated rate, there is currently no financial advantage to seeking a "prompt-pay" discount or self-pay classification before scheduling, as the upfront cost remains $775.00. However, patients should still verify their specific plan details, as some commercial contracts may include additional administrative fees or require co-pays that are not reflected in this standard rate. Given that balance billing is generally prohibited for in-network services at this facility under the No Surprises Act, patients can expect the insurer to pay the full $775.00 allowed amount, leaving the patient responsible only for their specific deductible and co-insurance. It is advisable to request an itemized bill upon discharge to ensure no unbundled charges or services not rendered are included, as these are common sources of unexpected debt even when the initial rate appears fixed.