CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: William Newton Hospital
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $445
- Cash Discount Price: $1,205
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.48x 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 248% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 148%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Triwest- All Plans | $421 | 235% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $434 - $456 | 242% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $434 - $1,205 | 242% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $434 - $1,084 | 242% |
| Providrs Care Nexus | $737 | 411% |
| Providrs Care - All Other Plans | $843 | 470% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 70460, representing a CT scan of the head with contrast at William Newton Hospital in Winfield, KS, the cash price is $1,205.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $179.20, reflecting a markup of 2.5 times the federal baseline. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital with a government-local ownership structure, patients should note that commercial negotiated rates for this service range widely among payers, from $421 to $1,205. Because the cash price ($1,205.00) is lower than the highest negotiated rates found in the data (such as the $1,205 high for Ambetter/Centene), paying out-of-pocket may be the most cost-effective option for individuals with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their coverage thresholds.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively contact the hospital's billing department to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final amount owed by 20% to 50% when paid upfront. It is important to avoid relying on summary bills, as these often obscure individual line items and may include unbundled charges or services not rendered; instead, request a full itemized audit to ensure accuracy. While the facility's rating is 4 out of 5, the primary financial consideration remains the disparity between the cash price and the varying negotiated amounts across different insurance plans, making direct comparison with the Medicare rate essential for understanding the true cost of care.