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Vitamin B12 Absorption Test, Basic

California rates for HCPCS 78270

This covers a nuclear medicine test that uses a small amount of radioactive vitamin B12, without adding the stomach protein intrinsic factor, to measure how well the body absorbs vitamin B12. This baseline version of the test can be compared against a version that adds intrinsic factor to help figure out why B12 absorption might be low. It is used to help investigate causes of low vitamin B12 levels.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Vitamin B12 Absorption Test, Basic cost?

$490

Typical negotiated rate. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $490 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $490 to $1,047.

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 3 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,047 · 10th to 90th $1,047 to $1,047Professionalmedian $490 · 10th to 90th $490 to $490
$50$100$200$500$1Kfacility $1,047professional $490

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$173.78
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$218.78
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$1,698.24
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,047.13
Median
$1,047.13
Typical High
$1,047.13
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$489.78
Median
$489.78
Typical High
$489.78

Where California sits

The same service costs 16.2 times more in California than in South Carolina. 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.

California· 1st of 31

$490

CA $490SC $30.20

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.