CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: F W Huston Medical Center
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $2,047
- Cash Discount Price: $2,127
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.74x 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 574% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 474%). 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 | $458 | 128% |
| Aetna | $1,994 | 559% |
| Humana | $2,101 | 589% |
| Cigna | $2,260 | 634% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast at F W Huston Medical Center in Winchester, KS, the cash median price is $2,127.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $2,659.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield ($458), Aetna ($1,994), and Humana ($2,101) vary significantly, the cash price may offer a better financial outcome for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, as the cash median is often lower than commercial negotiated rates. It is important to note that the facility's cash rate is substantially higher than the Medicare benchmark of $356.43, which serves as the federal baseline for cost; however, commercial contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price by 20% to 40%.
To ensure you receive the most accurate pricing, we recommend requesting an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing the costly insurance claims processing cycle. Since the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in a specific geographic area, always verify the exact allowed amount with the billing department before scheduling to avoid unexpected balance billing, particularly if your insurance plan has a high deductible or if ancillary services are out-of-network.