CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: Golden Valley Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $359
- Cash Discount Price: $3,176
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.01x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Home State Health | $344 | 97% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $344 - $610 | 97% |
| Aetna | $359 | 101% |
| Humana | $359 | 101% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $430 | 121% |
| Medica | $806 | 226% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients paying out of pocket, the most important fact to know first is that the cash median rate for a CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital is $3,176. Because commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead and multi-layered pricing structures, the negotiated rates paid by insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Medica can sometimes exceed this cash price, making self-pay a potentially more affordable option for those with high-deductible plans. However, patients should actively inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as hospitals frequently offer fee reductions for upfront payment that are not reflected in the standard cash rate.
This procedure's pricing context is further clarified by comparing it to federal benchmarks and state averages. The facility's gross chargemaster rate of $5,294 serves as the highest listed price, while the Medicare amount of $356.43 represents the true cost baseline used for fair pricing comparisons. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average rates for this procedure, understanding that commercial negotiated rates often range from 200% to 300% of the Medicare rate helps patients evaluate if the $3,176 cash price is reasonable. Given that over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, consumers should also request a detailed itemized audit to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the final charge.