Vitamin B12 Absorption Test With Stomach Protein

Nationwide rates for HCPCS 78271

This covers a nuclear medicine test that uses a small amount of radioactive vitamin B12 combined with a stomach protein called intrinsic factor, which the body normally needs to absorb B12. Measuring how much of this combined tracer is absorbed helps doctors determine whether a B12 absorption problem is caused by a lack of intrinsic factor, such as in pernicious anemia, or by another cause in the intestine. This test is used to help investigate low vitamin B12 levels.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Vitamin B12 Absorption Test With Stomach Protein cost?

$158

Typical negotiated rate. Nationwide, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $158 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $138 from a physician practice, and about $295 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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 21 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed by	Who charges it	Typical	Range
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider	A doctor's office, clinic or independent provider	$138	$107 to $178
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department	A hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department	$295	$204 to $562

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $295 · 10th to 90th $170 to $1,047Professionalmedian $138 · 10th to 90th $100 to $398

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	Facility/Professional	Modifier	Typical Low	Median	Typical High
BCBS Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $165.96 Median $275.42 Typical High $776.25	Facility	Global	$165.96	$275.42	$776.25
Cigna Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $190.55 Median $257.04 Typical High $707.95	Facility	Global	$190.55	$257.04	$707.95
Cigna Setting Professional Modifier Global Typical Low $109.65 Median $165.96 Typical High $229.09	Professional	Global	$109.65	$165.96	$229.09

What it costs in each state

The same service costs 14.1 times more in Texas 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.

Touch or drag across the chart to see any state's rate.

TX $427SC $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.