CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (no contrast)
Facility: Smith County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 74176 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74176
- Insurance Median: $660
- Cash Discount Price: $703
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.71x 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 $243.77 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 271% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 171%). 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 | $453 | 186% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $492 - $703 | 202% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $632 | 259% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $660 | 271% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $667 | 274% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $667 | 274% |
| Health Partners Of Ks Ppo-All Plans | $667 | 274% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis without contrast at Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS, the cash price is $703.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This cash price is 2.7 times higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, indicating a significant markup relative to the federal government's cost-based baseline. While Medicaid / KanCare plans have the lowest allowed amount at $453, other major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Multiplan-All Plans have negotiated rates of $667, which are higher than the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the $703 cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates for many commercial plans exceed the cash amount.
To minimize costs, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these programs often offer reductions of 20% to 50% for upfront payment. It is critical to avoid balance billing by ensuring the facility is in-network for your plan, as out-of-network services could trigger unexpected bills despite federal protections for emergency care. If you receive an invoice, always request a detailed, itemized bill that lists specific CPT codes rather than accepting a summary total, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled charges. Finally, verify your deductible status before using insurance, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket expenses than paying cash directly.