CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $1,104
- Cash Discount Price: $900
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.16x 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 616% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 516%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers-All Plans | $1,020 | 569% |
| Aetna | $1,080 | 603% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $1,080 | 603% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,104 | 616% |
| Cigna | $1,140 | 636% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $1,140 | 636% |
| First Health-All Plans | $1,140 | 636% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70460, representing a CT scan of the head with contrast at Republic County Hospital, the negotiated rates paid by major insurers like Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna range from $1,080 to $1,140. These commercial rates are notably higher than the facility's cash price of $900.00 and the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, with the negotiated amount sitting at 6.2 times the Medicare rate. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Belleville, KS, and operates as a voluntary non-profit, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more advantageous if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash amount. It is important to note that the facility's cash rate is significantly lower than the typical commercial negotiated structure, which often includes administrative overhead and claim processing costs that inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40%.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, it is recommended 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. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, ask specifically about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if settled upfront within 30 days, bypassing the costly insurance claims cycle. Since the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, you should verify your plan's status and avoid signing consent waivers that might inadvertently expose you to out-of-network charges. Always compare