CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: Fredonia Regional Hospital
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $754
- Cash Discount Price: $838
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.12x 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 212% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 112%). 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 | $414 - $480 | 116% |
| Veterans Programs - All Plans | $427 | 120% |
| Aetna | $427 - $754 | 120% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $427 - $754 | 120% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $754 | 212% |
| Cigna | $754 | 212% |
| Reserve National-All Plans | $754 | 212% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast at Fredonia Regional Hospital in Fredonia, KS, the cash price is $838.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $356.43, indicating a markup of 233% over the federal baseline. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for major payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare range from $427 to $754, but these amounts often exceed the cash rate once deductibles and co-pays are applied.
To minimize unexpected costs, patients should verify if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these programs can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. It is also important to request a detailed, itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. If a patient receives a balance bill from an out-of-network provider, they should not pay immediately out of fear of credit damage; instead, they should dispute the charge with their insurer and request a No Surprises Act audit to ensure they are not being billed for the difference between the full chargemaster and the allowed amount.