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Catheter-Based X-Ray Imaging Of Neck Or Brain Blood Vessels

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 36226

This describes a diagnostic procedure in which a thin, flexible tube called a catheter is guided through the blood vessels to the vertebral artery, one of the arteries in the neck that supplies blood to the brain, and a contrast dye is injected so the artery can be seen clearly on X-ray images. It is used to look for narrowing, blockage, aneurysms, or other abnormalities in this blood vessel.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Catheter-Based X-Ray Imaging Of Neck Or Brain Blood Vessels cost?

$1,000

Typical negotiated rate. In Washington, DC, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,000 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $417 to $2,692.

These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $4,898 · 10th to 90th $891 to $13,490Professionalmedian $891 · 10th to 90th $355 to $4,786
$500$1K$2K$5K$10K$20Kfacility $4,898professional $891

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$870.96
Median
$3,090.30
Typical High
$6,606.93
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$416.87
Median
$1,584.89
Typical High
$3,981.07
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$776.25
Typical High
$1,348.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$537.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$407.38
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$269.15
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$354.81
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$398.11
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$346.74
Median
$1,000.00
Typical High
$3,981.07
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$831.76
Median
$2,511.89
Typical High
$4,897.79
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$4,073.80
Median
$12,589.25
Typical High
$42,657.95
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$331.13
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$5,888.44
1 more rate with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$1,174.90
Typical High
$1,995.26

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 6.2 times more in Washington than in Maryland. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.

Washington, DC· 47th of 51

$1,000

WA $3,162MD $513

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.