CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Kiowa County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $890
- Cash Discount Price: $850
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.97x 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 497% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 397%). 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 | $458 - $890 | 256% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $801 - $1,000 | 447% |
| Health Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $880 | 491% |
| Humana | $890 | 497% |
| Medica Prime Mcare Cost-All Plans | $890 | 497% |
| Celtic Comml Exchange-All Other Plans | $890 | 497% |
| Aetna | $890 | 497% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,000 | 558% |
| Providrs Care/Wppa-All Plans | $1,500 | 837% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CT scan of the head with contrast at Kiowa County Memorial Hospital, the facility's negotiated rates range from $458 to $1,500 depending on the insurance plan, with a median negotiated payment of $890. This median rate is notably higher than the cash median of $850, illustrating that paying out-of-pocket can sometimes result in lower costs for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance. While the facility is in-network for most payers, the gross charge of $1,000 serves as a baseline that is significantly inflated compared to the actual reimbursement amounts. Patients should be aware that commercial rates often include administrative overhead for claims processing, which can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40% compared to the true cost of care.
To minimize out-of-pocket expenses, patients should proactively request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling their appointment, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50%. It is also important to verify that the facility is not submitting a claim to insurance after a cash agreement has been made, as this could void the discount and trigger balance billing for the difference between the negotiated rate and the cash price. Given that the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Greensburg, KS, and operates under government-local ownership, patients are encouraged to obtain a full itemized bill to audit for errors, such as unbundled codes or services not rendered, which are common sources of unexpected medical debt.