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Nuclear Heart Blood-Flow Scan, One Study

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 78451

A small amount of radioactive tracer is injected and a rotating camera builds cross-sectional pictures showing how well blood reaches the heart muscle. Areas receiving less blood show up faintly, pointing to narrowed heart arteries or earlier damage. This covers a single set of images, taken either at rest or with the heart stressed, rather than both.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Nuclear Heart Blood-Flow Scan, One Study cost?

$447

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $447 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $447 from a physician practice, and about $331 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$447$316 to $617
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$331$282 to $1,175

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $331 · 10th to 90th $282 to $1,479Professionalmedian $447 · 10th to 90th $282 to $871
$200$500$1Kfacility $331professional $447

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). 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
None
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$489.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$588.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$57.54
Typical High
$117.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$467.74
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$93.33
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$181.97
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$645.65
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$933.25
Median
$1,479.11
Typical High
$1,479.11
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$912.01
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$181.97
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$380.19
Typical High
$741.31
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$363.08
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$363.08
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$346.74
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$309.03
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$707.95
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$162.18
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$562.34
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$257.04
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$338.84
Median
$524.81
Typical High
$891.25
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$186.21
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$426.58
Typical High
$707.95
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
$218.78
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$223.87
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$457.09
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$181.97
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$128.82
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$128.82
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$128.82

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 3.6 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.

North Carolina· 23rd of 51

$447

AK $1,023FL $282

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.