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Nuclear Test of an Abdominal Shunt's Flow

Maryland rates for HCPCS 78291

Checks whether an implanted shunt that drains fluid from the abdomen into a vein is still working. A small amount of radioactive tracer is placed into the abdominal fluid and a special camera follows whether it travels along the shunt and into the bloodstream. Tracer that stays put indicates the shunt is blocked.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Nuclear Test of an Abdominal Shunt's Flow cost?

$240

Typical negotiated rate. In Maryland, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $240 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $240 from a physician practice, and about $195 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$240$219 to $269
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$195$85.11 to $219

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $195 · 10th to 90th $39 to $457Professionalmedian $240 · 10th to 90th $204 to $437
$50$100$200$500facility $195professional $240

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. Small sample; interpret with caution. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$218.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$389.05
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$281.84
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$199.53
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$269.15
Typical High
$512.86
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$467.74
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$457.09
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$616.60
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$389.05

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 4.2 times more in Wyoming 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.

Maryland· 42nd of 51

$240

WY $794FL $191

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.