CT scan, head (with contrast)
Facility: Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City
Billing Code: 70460 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 70460
- Insurance Median: $2,594
- Cash Discount Price: $1,577
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 14.48x 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 1448% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1348%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Health | $86 | 48% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $86 - $565 | 48% |
| Aetna | $86 - $3,153 | 48% |
| Kaiser | $86 | 48% |
| Cigna | $86 | 48% |
| Medicare (plans) | $86 | 48% |
| Humana | $86 | 48% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $337 | 188% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2,594 | 1448% |
| Wpaa | $2,759 | 1540% |
| Christian Health Aid | $3,153 | 1759% |
| Multiplan | $3,153 - $3,547 | 1759% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $3,547 | 1979% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the head with contrast at Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City, the cash median price is $1,577. This facility, located in Dodge City, Kansas, lists a gross charge of $3,942, which is significantly higher than the cash median. While the facility has a negotiated rate of $2,594 for commercial payers, patients with high-deductible plans might find the cash price more advantageous if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds $1,577. It is important to note that the facility's cash rate is lower than the Medicare amount of $179.20 multiplied by the vs_medicare factor of 14.5, though the exact calculated comparison should be verified directly with the hospital's billing department.
To optimize costs, patients should inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these can reduce the bill further. Because hospitals often charge different rates to different insurance carriers, assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest price is a common pitfall; some in-network facilities charge substantially more than others. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, patients should request a detailed itemized CPT-coded bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, and they should verify their deductible status to avoid paying the full negotiated rate upfront.