CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $2,432
- Cash Discount Price: $1,892
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 13.57x 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 1357% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1257%). 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 | $479 - $504 | 267% |
| Preferred Phsic | $1,622 | 905% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $2,189 | 1222% |
| Cigna | $2,432 | 1357% |
| Aetna | $2,432 | 1357% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $2,432 | 1357% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $2,432 | 1357% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with contrast at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas, the cash median price is $1,892, while the median negotiated rate paid by insurance plans is $2,432. This facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital located at 400 South Santa Fe Avenue. While the data provided does not include specific county or state average comparisons for this procedure, patients should note that cash-paying can sometimes result in lower out-of-pocket costs if their insurance plan has a high deductible or if the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. It is always advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $179.20, which serves as a baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup. The commercial negotiated rate of $2,432 represents a significant increase over the Medicare amount, reflecting the administrative costs and contract structures inherent in commercial insurance billing. To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, patients should request an itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary bill, as detailed line-by-line statements help identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered. Additionally, if you are concerned about balance billing, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from being billed for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, particularly for emergency care and non-emergency services provided at this location.