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First-Pass Nuclear Scan Of Heart Pumping Function

Virginia 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?

$186

Typical negotiated rate. In Virginia, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $186 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $158 to $263.

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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Professionalmedian $186 · 10th to 90th $145 to $380
$50$200$1K$5Kprofessional $186

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
$147.91
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$295.12
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$302.00
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$933.25
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$131.83
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$407.38
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$234.42
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$363.08
Typical High
$446.68
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$275.42
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$275.42
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$831.76
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$158.49
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$416.87

Where Virginia 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.

Virginia· 37th of 51

$186

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.