CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Sheridan County Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $662
- Cash Discount Price: $1,046
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.69x 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 369% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 269%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Insurance | $633 | 353% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $662 | 369% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $994 | 555% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with contrast at Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, Kansas, the cash price is $1,046.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $662.00 for in-network payers like Celtic Insurance and Blue Cross Blue Shield. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, reflecting a markup of 3.7 times the federal rate. Patients with high-deductible plans should consider that paying cash upfront might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate of $662.00 exceeds the cash price, and hospitals often offer prompt-pay discounts that can further reduce the final bill.
It is important to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Instead of accepting a summary bill that obscures individual charges, patients should demand a detailed statement showing specific CPT codes to identify any double-billing or unnecessary fees. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for emergency care at in-network facilities, patients should verify their deductible status and confirm that all ancillary services are covered to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.