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First-Pass Nuclear Scan Of Heart Pumping Function

North Carolina 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 July 2026.

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

$148

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $148 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $148 to $288.

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 $148 · 10th to 90th $141 to $437
$200$500$1Kprofessional $148

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
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$416.87
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$524.81
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$398.11
Median
$398.11
Typical High
$398.11
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$316.23
Typical High
$316.23
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$457.09
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$1,479.11

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 4.9 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.

North Carolina· 49th of 51

$148

WY $646FL $132

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.