CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Clay County Medical Center
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $107
- Cash Discount Price: $1,039
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.60x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplan- All Plans | $53 - $1,866 | 30% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $67 - $1,866 | 37% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $75 - $1,866 | 42% |
| Aetna | $105 - $1,827 | 59% |
| Wppa/Providrs Care- All Plans | $105 - $1,827 | 59% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with contrast at Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, KS, the cash median price is $1,039.00, which matches the facility's gross charge. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates for this service range from $53 to $1,866 across five payers, with a median negotiated amount of $107.00. It is important to note that while insurance contracts often cap payments at these negotiated levels, the cash price can sometimes be lower than the final amount an insurer pays to a member, particularly for those with high-deductible plans who may face higher out-of-pocket costs before their deductible is met.
When evaluating the cost of this procedure, it is essential to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the facility's gross list price. The Medicare amount for this code is $179.20, and the facility's cash rate represents a 0.6x ratio relative to this federal baseline, indicating a significant markup compared to the government's fixed reimbursement rate. To ensure you are receiving the best possible price, we recommend requesting an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if you pay in full upfront, effectively bypassing the administrative overhead associated with insurance claims processing.