go back

First-Pass Nuclear Scan Of Heart Pumping Function

Maryland 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?

$166

Typical negotiated rate. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $166 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $151 to $204.

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.

How much rates vary

Professionalmedian $166 · 10th to 90th $120 to $282
$100$200$500professional $166

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
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$158.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$40.74
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$120.23
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$194.98
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$47.86
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$138.04
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$371.54
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$93.33
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$275.42
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$371.54
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$83.18
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$275.42
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$537.03
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$138.04
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$398.11
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$269.15
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$70.79
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$123.03
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$199.53
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
$74.13
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$79.43
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$32.36
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$128.82

Where Maryland 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.

Maryland· 49th of 51

$166

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.