CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Stanton County Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $1,647
- Cash Discount Price: $1,733
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.19x 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 919% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 819%). 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 | $456 - $1,647 | 254% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $1,698 | 948% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $1,732 | 967% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this CT scan of the head with contrast at Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, KS, the cash price is $1,733, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. While the hospital is a government-owned Critical Access Hospital, the cash price is notably higher than the state average for this procedure. Patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find paying cash directly more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rate of $1,647 paid by insurers is still above the cash price. To secure the lowest possible cost, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can significantly lower the final amount owed.
It is important to understand that commercial insurance rates often exceed cash prices due to the administrative costs and claim processing fees built into negotiated contracts. Although the facility's median negotiated rate is $1,647, the gross chargemaster listed is $1,733, meaning the insurance payment does not reflect the full list price. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you may be subject to balance billing, where the provider bills you for the difference between their full rate and what your insurance allowed. However, federal protections like the No Surprises Act ban balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. If you receive a surprise bill, do not pay immediately; instead, request a formal itemized audit to identify errors or unbundled codes and dispute the charge in writing with the billing supervisor.