CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: Girard Medical Center
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $1,594
- Cash Discount Price: $2,733
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.47x 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 447% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 347%). 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 | $480 - $1,594 | 135% |
| Medicare (plans) | $1,594 | 447% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,594 - $4,327 | 447% |
| Aetna | $1,594 - $7,971 | 447% |
| Kansas Superior Select-All Plans | $1,594 | 447% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,594 | 447% |
| Humana | $1,594 | 447% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $4,213 | 1182% |
| Uhhis-All Plans | $4,327 | 1214% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast at Girard Medical Center in Kansas, the cash median price is $2,733, while the median negotiated rate paid by insurance is $1,594. This facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government hospital district, has a Medicare benchmark of $356.43, which serves as the federal baseline for evaluating pricing fairness. While commercial negotiated rates are typically higher than cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more affordable if their insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash rate. It is important to note that the facility's negotiated rate of $1,594 is significantly lower than the gross charge of $4,555, reflecting the impact of bulk contracting, though commercial rates often remain above the 120% to 150% of Medicare range considered fair.
Consumers should verify their specific plan details before scheduling, as negotiated rates vary by payer and can differ substantially from the facility's average. For instance, while UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have negotiated ranges extending up to $7,971 and $4,327 respectively, other payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and several others have rates capped at $1,594. Patients are encouraged to request a self-pay or prompt-pay discount prior to receiving care, as paying in full upfront can sometimes bypass the higher insurance negotiated rates and reduce the total cost. Additionally, if a patient receives an itemized bill, they should review it for errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes that