CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Phillips County Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $579
- Cash Discount Price: $544
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.23x 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 323% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 223%). 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 | $480 - $518 | 268% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $512 - $640 | 286% |
| Health Partners-All Plans | $640 | 357% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $640 | 357% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this CT scan of the head with contrast at Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, KS, the facility's cash price of $544.00 is lower than the state average, which is approximately 3.2 times the Medicare rate of $179.20. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that insurance negotiated rates can sometimes exceed cash prices. For instance, UnitedHealthcare's negotiated range spans from $512 to $640, meaning a patient with a high-deductible plan might save money by paying the cash price directly, provided they have the funds available. It is always advisable to ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can further reduce the final cost.
The data indicates that while Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates within the $480 to $640 range, Medicaid/KanCare and Health Partners-All Plans have a fixed rate of $640.00. Because commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead and do not reflect the true cost of care, comparing these figures to the Medicare benchmark provides a clearer picture of fair pricing. If you receive a bill that appears higher than these negotiated or cash amounts, you should request a detailed, itemized statement to verify that no services were bundled incorrectly or that charges for items not rendered were included. Disputing errors in writing is the most effective way to ensure you are only paying for the care you actually received.