CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $1,486
- Cash Discount Price: $2,703
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.29x 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 829% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 729%). 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 | $484 | 270% |
| Tricare | $1,351 | 754% |
| Humana | $1,351 | 754% |
| Medicare (plans) | $1,365 | 762% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,486 | 829% |
| Coventry - All Other Plans | $2,432 | 1357% |
| Preferred Healthcare-All Plans | $2,567 | 1432% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas - All Plans | $2,567 | 1432% |
| Wppa/Providers Care-All Plans | $3,784 | 2112% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70460, representing a CT scan of the head with contrast at Memorial Hospital in Abilene, KS, the cash price is $2,703.00. While the facility's negotiated rates for commercial payers range from $484 to $3,784, the median negotiated amount is $1,486.00, which is lower than the cash price. This suggests that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price might not be the most cost-effective option, as the insurance negotiated rate could result in lower out-of-pocket costs once the deductible is met. However, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount, as some in-network contracts may differ from the facility's median negotiated rate.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a fixed reimbursement rate of $179.20 for this service. The cash price is 8.3 times the Medicare amount, highlighting the significant markup often seen in commercial billing. While the data does not provide explicit state or county average comparisons for this specific code, the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in a Government-owned district, which may influence its pricing structure. Consumers are encouraged to request a prompt-pay discount if paying upfront, as hospitals often offer 20% to 50% reductions for immediate payment to bypass administrative costs. Additionally, patients should ensure they receive an itemized bill to identify any errors or unbundled charges before finalizing payment.