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Nuclear Study of Where Red Cells Are Broken Down

Maryland rates for HCPCS 78140

A nuclear medicine study in which a sample of the patient's own red blood cells is tagged with a small amount of radioactive marker, returned to the bloodstream, and then followed to see where in the body those cells are being trapped and destroyed. Readings taken over the following days show whether the spleen, the liver, or both are responsible.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Nuclear Study of Where Red Cells Are Broken Down cost?

$115

Typical negotiated rate. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $115 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $100 to $138.

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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Professionalmedian $115 · 10th to 90th $22 to $195
$50$100$200professional $115

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
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$104.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$20.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$83.18
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$134.90
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$28.84
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$97.72
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$257.04
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$53.70
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$213.80
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$234.42
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$48.98
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$181.97
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$354.81
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$72.44
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$281.84
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$181.97
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$37.15
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$147.91
3 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
$47.86
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$52.48
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$20.89
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$83.18

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 4.6 times more in Alabama than in Texas. 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.

Maryland· 48th of 51

$115

AL $479TX $105

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.