CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: Wesley Medical Center
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $5,228
- Cash Discount Price: $30,217
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 14.67x 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 $356.43 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 1467% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1367%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $207 | 58% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $213 | 60% |
| Amerigroup | $215 | 60% |
| Aetna | $215 - $10,787 | 60% |
| First Health | $342 - $13,930 | 96% |
| Multiplan | $356 - $27,195 | 100% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $480 | 135% |
| United | $828 - $13,598 | 232% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $5,228 - $15,108 | 1467% |
| Wppa | $5,258 | 1475% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $5,439 | 1526% |
| Medical Associates Health Plan | $5,711 | 1602% |
| Preferred Health Choices | $5,711 | 1602% |
| Spirit Aerosystems | $9,669 | 2713% |
| Triwest Healthcare Alliance | $19,641 | 5510% |
| Usa Managed Care | $25,684 | 7206% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS, the cash price is $30,217.00, which matches the cash median for this procedure. This rate is significantly higher than the state average, as indicated by a 14.7% variance compared to Medicare benchmarks. While commercial insurance offers negotiated rates that cap charges, these amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly may result in lower out-of-pocket costs if the insurance negotiated rate is higher than the cash rate. It is advisable to contact the facility directly to confirm "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed.
Patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates are not always the lowest possible option and can sometimes be substantially higher than cash prices. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, it is crucial to verify that all services rendered were covered under this protection. If a patient receives a bill that appears to include balance billing, they should request an itemized audit to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. Disputes regarding billing accuracy should be handled in writing to ensure proper resolution, rather than accepting summary bills or verbal assurances. Ultimately, comparing the cash price against the Medicare benchmark provides a clear view of the facility's pricing relative to the true cost of care.