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Split Lung Blood Flow Measurement

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 78597

A nuclear medicine study that measures what share of the blood reaching the lungs goes to each side. A tracer is given into a vein, a camera records where it lodges, and the result is reported as a percentage for each lung. Surgeons use it to judge how much lung function a person would keep if part of a lung had to be removed.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Split Lung Blood Flow Measurement cost?

$275

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $275 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $275 from a physician practice, and about $200 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$275$214 to $363
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$200$166 to $891

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $200 · 10th to 90th $166 to $891Professionalmedian $275 · 10th to 90th $166 to $537
$200$500$1Kfacility $200professional $275

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
$165.96
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$173.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$223.87
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$38.02
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$194.98
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$63.10
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$100.00
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$269.15
Typical High
$478.63
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$575.44
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$1,000.00
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$562.34
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$53.70
Typical High
$97.72
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$457.09
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$199.53
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$426.58
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$81.28
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$416.87
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$537.03
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$35.48
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$97.72
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$162.18
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$436.52
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
$131.83
Median
$131.83
Typical High
$131.83
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$269.15
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$107.15
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$75.86
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$75.86
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$75.86

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 4.6 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· 19th of 51

$275

AK $741FL $162

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.