CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: Stanton County Hospital
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $1,822
- Cash Discount Price: $1,916
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.11x 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 511% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 411%). 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 | $456 - $1,822 | 128% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $1,878 | 527% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $1,916 | 538% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast at Stanton County Hospital, the cash price is $1,916, which matches the facility's negotiated rate with Healthy Blue Mcaid. While the facility is in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield, the allowed amount for that plan ranges from $456 to $1,822, meaning patients with this insurance could face significant balance billing if they do not meet their deductible or if the provider bills the full chargemaster rate. It is important to note that cash-paying can sometimes be more cost-effective than using insurance if the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, particularly for patients with high-deductible plans. To minimize costs, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can bypass the administrative overhead and potential balance billing associated with insurance claims.
This procedure's cash price of $1,916 is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $356.43, indicating a substantial markup relative to the federal cost baseline. Although the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Johnson, KS, and is owned by the local government, the data does not provide specific county or state average rates for comparison. Regardless of the lack of regional averages, the median paid amount across payers was $1,850, which is slightly lower than the cash price. Patients should request a detailed, itemized bill to verify that no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. If a surprise bill arises, consumers should dispute it in writing rather than paying immediately, as federal protections like the No Surprises Act may apply depending