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Bone Density Scan, Peripheral Site

South Carolina rates for HCPCS 77081

A low-dose imaging scan that measures bone density at a peripheral location such as the wrist, forearm, or heel, used to help assess bone strength and screen for bone thinning conditions like osteoporosis. It uses a specialized low-radiation X-ray technique rather than a standard X-ray picture.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Bone Density Scan, Peripheral Site cost?

$41.69

Typical negotiated rate. In South Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $41.69 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $41.69 from a physician practice, and about $138 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$41.69$30.90 to $51.29
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$138$89.13 to $191

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $138 · 10th to 90th $63 to $257Professionalmedian $42 · 10th to 90th $27 to $62
$50$100$200$500facility $138professional $42

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
$25.70
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$85.11
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$38.90
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$8.32
Median
$8.32
Typical High
$11.75
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$17.38
Typical High
$28.18
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$9.12
Median
$9.12
Typical High
$9.12
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$213.80
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$72.44
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$61.66
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$9.12
Median
$12.59
Typical High
$18.62
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$40.74
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$123.03
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$467.74
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$74.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$9.77
Median
$11.75
Typical High
$22.39
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$47.86
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$56.23
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$85.11
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$61.66
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$17.78
Typical High
$23.99
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$44.67
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$61.66
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$363.08
Median
$446.68
Typical High
$575.44
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$64.57
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$8.13
Median
$11.48
Typical High
$20.89
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$43.65
6 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
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$21.38
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$31.62
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$7.41
Median
$10.96
Typical High
$12.88
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$7.59
Typical High
$9.12
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$7.59
Typical High
$9.12
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$5.25
Median
$7.59
Typical High
$9.12

Where South Carolina sits

The same service costs 3.8 times more in Alaska than in Florida. 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.

South Carolina· 20th of 51

$41.69

AK $93.33FL $24.55

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.