CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Cloud County Health Center
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $2,567
- Cash Discount Price: $1,892
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 14.32x 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 1432% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1332%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $2,432 - $2,513 | 1357% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $2,567 | 1432% |
| Mpi-All Plans | $2,567 | 1432% |
| Pponext-All Plans | $2,567 | 1432% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this CT scan of the head with contrast at Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, KS, the facility's negotiated rate of $2,567 aligns exactly with the median paid amount across all four insurance plans, including Aetna, Health Partners, Mpi-All Plans, and Pponext-All Plans. This rate is significantly higher than the cash price of $1,892, which could be a more affordable option for patients with high-deductible plans or those paying out-of-pocket. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, the negotiated rate remains 14.3% above the Medicare benchmark of $179.2, highlighting the substantial markup common in commercial insurance contracts.
Patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates often include administrative costs and contract premiums that push prices well above the true cost of care, as evidenced by the gap between the Medicare rate and the negotiated fee. To potentially lower costs, individuals should verify if the facility offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as paying upfront can sometimes bypass the higher insurance negotiated ceiling. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, it is advisable to request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary bill, ensuring that all charges are accurate and that no unnecessary services were billed.