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First-Pass Nuclear Scan Of Heart Pumping Function

Georgia rates for HCPCS 78481

A radioactive tracer is injected into a vein and a camera records its very first sweep through the chambers of the heart. From that recording the scan measures how much of the blood in a chamber is pushed out with each beat, which is a direct measure of pumping strength. A single study is performed, either with the patient at rest or with the heart under stress.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does First-Pass Nuclear Scan Of Heart Pumping Function cost?

$224

Typical negotiated rate. In Georgia, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $224 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $219 from a physician practice, and about $275 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$219$182 to $316
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$275$209 to $363

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $275 · 10th to 90th $151 to $417Professionalmedian $219 · 10th to 90th $151 to $457
$100$200$500facility $275professional $219

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
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$151.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$162.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$45.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$117.49
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$416.87
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$436.52
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$58.88
Typical High
$100.00
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$331.13
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$363.08
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$512.86
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$47.86
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$123.03
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$371.54
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$691.83
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$234.42
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$501.19
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$120.23
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$371.54
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
$67.61
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$81.28
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$32.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$128.82

Where Georgia sits

The same service costs 4.8 times more in Alaska 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.

Georgia· 35th of 51

$224

AK $676TX $141

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.