CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Smith County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $660
- Cash Discount Price: $703
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.68x 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 368% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 268%). 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 | $453 | 253% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $492 - $703 | 275% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $632 | 353% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $660 | 368% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $667 | 372% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $667 | 372% |
| Health Partners Of Ks Ppo-All Plans | $667 | 372% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CT scan of the head with contrast at Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, Kansas, the cash price is $703.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. This cash rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, indicating a markup of 3.9 times the federal baseline. While commercial insurance plans like Medicaid/KanCare and Multiplan-All Plans have negotiated rates ranging from $453 to $703, these amounts often exceed the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the full cash price of $703.00 directly, as this avoids the administrative overhead and potential higher negotiated rates charged to insurers. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network contracts may result in higher out-of-pocket costs than self-pay.
To ensure you are not overcharged, you should request a detailed, itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual line items. Over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered, which can be identified through a formal audit dispute sent via certified mail. Additionally, if you are billed for out-of-network services at this Critical Access Hospital, the No Surprises Act generally protects you from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. If you do receive a balance bill, you should dispute it immediately with your insurer rather than paying it out of fear of credit damage, and you should refuse to sign any waivers that waive your surprise billing protections for mandatory services. Finally, ask the hospital directly about "self-pay