CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: Smith County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $660
- Cash Discount Price: $703
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.85x 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.
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 | 127% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $492 - $703 | 138% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $632 | 177% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $660 | 185% |
| Health Partners Of Ks Ppo-All Plans | $667 | 187% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $667 | 187% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $667 | 187% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast at Smith County Memorial Hospital in Smith Center, KS, the cash price is $703.00, which matches the facility's gross charge and the median cash rate. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the negotiated rates for insurance payers range from $453 to $703, with a median negotiated payment of $660.00. This suggests that for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, paying the cash price directly may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash price. However, patients should verify if the specific insurance plan has a lower allowed amount than the cash rate before scheduling, as this could result in lower out-of-pocket costs.
To minimize potential costs, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing the administrative overhead of insurance claims. Additionally, since the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, patients should review their itemized bill to ensure no unexpected charges exist. If a discrepancy is found, a formal written audit dispute should be sent to the billing supervisor rather than settling verbally. While the data does not provide specific county or state average comparisons for this procedure, the facility's cash rate of $703.00 serves as a reliable benchmark for patients to compare against their own insurance allowed amounts or other local providers.