CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: Amberwell Atchison Association
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $1,483
- Cash Discount Price: $3,613
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.16x 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 416% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 316%). 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 | $456 - $480 | 128% |
| Humana | $581 - $1,192 | 163% |
| Superior Select Mcr Adv - All Plans | $1,192 | 334% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $1,192 | 334% |
| Triwest - All Plans | $1,192 | 334% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,192 - $6,482 | 334% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $1,848 | 518% |
| Aetna | $1,987 | 557% |
| Cigna | $1,987 | 557% |
| Oscar - All Plans | $2,710 | 760% |
| Centrus Health Direct - All Plans | $2,710 | 760% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $2,818 | 791% |
| Wppa Providrs Care - All Plans | $3,252 | 912% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast at Amberwell Atchison Association, the cash price is $3,613.00, which matches the facility's cash median. This rate is significantly higher than the state average, reflecting the typical markup found in commercial billing where negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Atchison, KS, patients with high-deductible plans should consider that paying cash upfront might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as commercial negotiated rates can sometimes exceed the cash price. It is always advisable to ask the billing department about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can reduce the total cost by bypassing the costly claims processing cycle.
Insurance coverage varies widely across the 13 payers listed, with negotiated rates ranging from $456 for Blue Cross Blue Shield to $6,482 for UnitedHealthcare. The median amount paid by insurers is $1,216.00, which is substantially lower than the cash price but still represents a significant portion of the service cost. When evaluating these rates, it is important to compare them against the Medicare benchmark of $356.43, which serves as the objective baseline for true healthcare delivery costs. Commercial rates often average 200% to 300% of Medicare, so patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount rather than assuming the in-network rate is the lowest possible price. To ensure accuracy, patients should request a full itemized bill to review every CPT code and avoid paying for services that were never rendered or unbundled charges that should have been