CT scan, abdomen and pelvis (with contrast)
Facility: Oakleaf Surgical Hospital
Billing Code: 74177 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 74177
- Insurance Median: $346
- Cash Discount Price: $1,496
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.97x 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 | $346 - $1,748 | 97% |
| Dean Health Plan | $346 | 97% |
| Group Health Cooperative Of Eau Claire | $346 | 97% |
| Healthpartners | $346 | 97% |
| Humana | $346 | 97% |
| Medica | $346 | 97% |
| Quartz Health Solutions | $346 | 97% |
| Security Health Plan Of Wi | $346 - $876 | 97% |
| Ucare Wi | $346 | 97% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $346 | 97% |
| Alliance | $1,728 | 485% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast at Oakleaf Surgical Hospital in Altoona, WI, the cash price of $1,496 is notably lower than the facility's gross charge of $1,663. While the hospital's negotiated rates for in-network patients range from a low of $346 to a high of $1,748 depending on the specific insurance carrier, the cash rate provides a clear baseline for self-pay patients. It is important to note that for many commercial payers, the negotiated rate of $346 is significantly lower than the cash price of $1,496, meaning insurance members would likely pay less through their plans than by paying out-of-pocket. Additionally, the Medicare benchmark amount for this service is $356.43, which serves as a federal cost baseline; commercial negotiated rates here are higher than the Medicare rate, reflecting the administrative costs and contract structures associated with private insurance.
Patients should be aware that hospitals often offer prompt-pay discounts for those who settle bills upfront, which can reduce the cash price further, though these discounts must be requested before check-in to avoid automatic claim submission. If a patient chooses to use insurance, the negotiated rate of $346 applies to most carriers listed, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Dean Health Plan, and UnitedHealthcare, while Alliance has a fixed negotiated rate of $1,728. Because the cash price of $1,496 exceeds the majority of these negotiated rates, patients with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum should carefully compare their expected insurance liability against the cash option. To ensure the lowest possible cost, patients