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Nuclear Scan For Spinal Fluid Leak

Washington, DC rates for HCPCS 78650

A small amount of radioactive tracer is placed into the fluid that surrounds the spinal cord, and a special camera then follows where it travels. If fluid is escaping, the tracer shows up outside its normal space, which pinpoints the leak. It is used when clear fluid drains from the nose or ear, or when a leak is suspected after an injury or an operation.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Nuclear Scan For Spinal Fluid Leak cost?

$245

Typical negotiated rate. In Washington, DC, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $245 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $245 from a physician practice, and about $245 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$245$245 to $347
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$245$245 to $3,020

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $245 · 10th to 90th $245 to $6,607Professionalmedian $245 · 10th to 90th $245 to $832
$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $245professional $245

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. 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
Global
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$245.47
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$245.47
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$245.47
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$776.25
Typical High
$1,445.44
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$3,019.95
Median
$3,019.95
Typical High
$3,630.78
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$407.38
Typical High
$1,288.25
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$269.15
Median
$588.84
Typical High
$588.84
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$5,623.41
Median
$6,606.93
Typical High
$7,585.78
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$257.04
Median
$416.87
Typical High
$912.01

Where Washington, DC sits

The same service costs 4.5 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.

Washington, DC· 47th of 51

$245

WY $955FL $214

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.