CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: Hamilton County Hospital
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $2,048
- Cash Discount Price: $2,275
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.75x 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 575% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 475%). 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 | $215 - $480 | 60% |
| First Health Coventry - All Plans | $1,934 | 543% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2,161 | 606% |
| Cigna | $2,161 | 606% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $2,275 | 638% |
| Aetna | $3,868 | 1085% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast at Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, KS, the cash price is $2,275, which matches the facility's median paid amount. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the negotiated rates for in-network payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield range from $215 to $480, and other major carriers such as Aetna and UnitedHealthcare charge between $2,161 and $3,868. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract structures; therefore, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price of $2,275 more affordable than relying on insurance, especially since the cash rate is lower than the highest negotiated amounts found for this procedure.
To ensure you are not overcharged, always request an itemized bill before paying, as summary bills can hide unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans such billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Additionally, you should verify your deductible status before scheduling, as paying the cash price upfront can sometimes bypass the need to meet a high deductible. Finally, ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final amount owed by 20% to 50% if settled within a short window, effectively bypassing the costly insurance claims process.