CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Stevens County Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $750
- Cash Discount Price: $862
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.19x 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 419% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 319%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $319 | 178% |
| Aetna | $329 - $862 | 184% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $456 - $480 | 254% |
| First Health - All Plans | $776 | 433% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $819 | 457% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $862 | 481% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70460 (CT scan, head with contrast) at Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton, KS, the cash price is $862.00, which matches the facility's gross chargemaster rate. While the median amount paid by insurance plans is $750.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective, as the negotiated rates from payers like Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield range from $319 to $862, often exceeding the cash amount. It is important to note that this facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, and while the cash rate is the highest possible charge, patients should explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can significantly reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative processing fees.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a fixed reimbursement rate of $179.20 for this procedure. The cash price of $862.00 represents a 420% markup relative to the Medicare rate, illustrating the difference between the federal cost baseline and commercial pricing. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average comparisons for this exact code, the wide variation in negotiated rates across different payers—ranging from $319 for Humana to $862 for Medicaid/KanCare—highlights the importance of verifying your specific plan's allowed amount. To avoid unexpected balance billing, patients should ensure they are aware of their network status and, if receiving care from an out-of-network provider or encountering unexpected ancillary services, should request