CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: Ellsworth County Medical Center
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $1,611
- Cash Discount Price: $1,790
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.52x 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 452% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 352%). 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 | $430 - $453 | 121% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv | $841 | 236% |
| Triwest -All Plans | $841 | 236% |
| Va Ccn-All Plans | $841 | 236% |
| Humana | $841 - $1,700 | 236% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,164 - $1,790 | 327% |
| First Health - All Plans | $1,611 | 452% |
| Aetna | $1,611 | 452% |
| Cigna | $1,700 | 477% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid- All Other Plans | $1,790 | 502% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $1,790 | 502% |
| Coventry Mcaid-All Plans | $1,790 | 502% |
| Providers Care-Wppa-All Plans | $2,685 | 753% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast at Ellsworth County Medical Center in Ellsworth, KS, the cash price is $1,790, which matches the facility's gross charge and the cash median. This rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $356.43, reflecting a markup of 4.5 times the federal standard. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a proprietary ownership structure, the negotiated rates vary widely among payers; for instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a low of $430 across two plans, whereas UnitedHealthcare's range spans from $1,164 to $1,790. Patients should note that while in-network insurance typically caps costs at negotiated rates, these amounts can still exceed the cash price, making self-pay potentially more economical for those with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their coverage thresholds.
To minimize out-of-pocket expenses, it is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid upfront. Since administrative processing for insurance claims often inflates the baseline price by 20% to 40%, paying cash bypasses these layers and avoids potential balance billing, provided the No Surprises Act protections are respected for out-of-network ancillary services. Before scheduling, verify your specific plan's allowed amount and deductible status, as assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest price can lead to unexpected costs if the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. Always request a full itemized bill containing specific CPT codes to ensure accuracy, as summary bills may obscure unbundled