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Contrast Study Through Existing Drainage Tube

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 49424

A test in which contrast dye is injected through a drainage tube already in place to evaluate a pocket of infection (abscess) or a fluid-filled cyst. The listed price applies when this study is performed as its own service.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Contrast Study Through Existing Drainage Tube cost?

$200

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $200 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $200 from a physician practice, and about $741 from a hospital or other facility.

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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$200$83.18 to $324
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$741$182 to $1,349

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $741 · 10th to 90th $37 to $2,951Professionalmedian $200 · 10th to 90th $58 to $427
$50$200$1K$5Kfacility $741professional $200

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

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$37.15
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$7,413.10
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$37.15
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$245.47
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$91.20
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$426.58
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$354.81
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$251.19
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$251.19
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$37.15
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$190.55
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$186.21
Typical High
$338.84
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$56.23
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$512.86
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$2,089.30
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$309.03
10 more rates 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
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$91.20
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$7.41
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$36.31
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
54 · Surgery only
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$138.04
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
55 · Aftercare only
Typical Low
$5.50
Median
$18.62
Typical High
$27.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
56 · Pre-op care only
Typical Low
$3.72
Median
$12.30
Typical High
$18.20
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$234.42
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$93.33
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$9.55
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$64.57
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$9.55
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$64.57
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$9.55
Median
$26.30
Typical High
$64.57

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 4.5 times more in Wisconsin than in Michigan. 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.

North Carolina· 7th of 51

$200

WI $251MI $56.23

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.