CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Goodland Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $885
- Cash Discount Price: $885
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.94x 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 494% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 394%). 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 | $458 | 256% |
| Wppa | $836 - $885 | 467% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $885 | 494% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with contrast at Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, Kansas, the cash median price is $885.00, which matches the median negotiated rate for in-network payers like Wppa and UnitedHealthcare. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a government-local ownership structure, and its pricing reflects a standard markup relative to the Medicare amount of $179.20. While the facility's rating is 2, patients should be aware that paying cash directly can sometimes result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to insurance claims, particularly if a patient has a high deductible or if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can significantly reduce the final bill.
When reviewing this bill, consumers should avoid accepting summary invoices that only show broad category totals, as these often obscure individual charges and potential errors. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes such as double-billing or unbundled codes, requesting a full itemized statement with specific CPT codes is the most effective way to identify and dispute inaccuracies. Additionally, if a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider at this in-network facility, they may be subject to balance billing for the difference between the provider's full charge and the insurance allowed amount, though the No Surprises Act generally protects patients from such surprise bills for emergency and non-emergency services at in-network hospitals. To ensure fair pricing, it is best to compare the final allowed amount against the Medicare benchmark rather than the facility's inflated chargemaster list, which can make discounts