CMS Price Transparency Data

CT scan, head (with contrast)

Facility: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 70460
Insurance Median: $1,826
Cash Discount Price: $1,898
vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.19x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a CT scan, head (with contrast) at Barnes Jewish Hospital is $1,826. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $1,898. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $179.2, this hospital’s rate is 10.19x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$1,898

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$1,826

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$179.2

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $179.2 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $1,898 (1059%)

Insurance Median: $1,826 (1019%)

Cash: $1,898 (1059% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $1,826 (1019% of 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 1019% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 919%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance Rate (%)

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group	Contract Rate Range	vs. Medicare Reference
Aetna	$176 - $2,373	98%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$176 - $2,753	98%
Essence Healthcare [221]	$176	98%
Humana	$176 - $1,817	98%
UnitedHealthcare	$176 - $2,351	98%
Cox Health [757]	$184	103%
Devoted Health Plan [847]	$184	103%
Medica [662]	$184	103%
Cigna	$872 - $2,531	487%
Allied Benefits [498]	$879 - $2,351	491%
Coresource [497]	$879	491%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$879	491%
Mail Handlers [495]	$879	491%
Consociate [478]	$970	541%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$970	541%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$1,210 - $2,057	675%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$1,378	769%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$1,378	769%
Priority Health [648]	$1,378	769%
Health Alliance [224]	$1,500	837%
Healthlink [225]	$1,535 - $2,389	857%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$1,740 - $2,057	971%
Hope Trust [806]	$1,835	1024%
Med-Pay [480]	$2,057 - $2,373	1148%
Unicare [568]	$2,057 - $2,389	1148%
First Health Commercial [734]	$2,351	1312%
Beechstreet [551]	$2,373	1324%
Detego Health [868]	$2,373	1324%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$2,373	1324%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$2,373	1324%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$2,373	1324%
Multiplan [240]	$2,373	1324%
Phcs [244]	$2,373 - $2,531	1324%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$2,389	1333%
Medica [661]	$2,531	1412%
Hfn [563]	$2,689	1501%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $1,898.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 70460.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Barnes Jewish Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 70460.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.