CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: St Luke Hospital & Living Center
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $1,352
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.79x 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 379% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 279%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Va Ccn | $1,352 | 379% |
| Kansas Department Of Health And Environment | $1,352 | 379% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,352 | 379% |
| Humana | $1,352 | 379% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,352 | 379% |
| Bluestem Pace | $1,352 | 379% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,365 | 383% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast at St Luke Hospital & Living Center in Marion, KS, the facility's negotiated rates are consistently $1,352 across seven major payers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. This negotiated amount is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $356.43, reflecting the administrative costs and contract structures inherent in commercial insurance billing. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government district, patients should be aware that cash-pay options may offer a lower total cost if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, though specific cash rates are not currently listed for this procedure.
To minimize out-of-pocket expenses, patients should proactively request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50%. It is important to avoid paying balance bills immediately if you receive a surprise statement, as the No Surprises Act generally protects patients from such charges for services at in-network facilities. Furthermore, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, you should demand a full itemized CPT-coded statement before agreeing to any payment plan, ensuring that no services were double-billed or unbundled. Always verify your deductible status and ask for a written waiver of insurance submission if you intend to pay cash directly to secure the best possible rate.