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PET/CT Scan, Skull Base to Mid-Thigh

North Carolina rates for HCPCS 78815

A scan that combines PET, which shows how active tissue is after an injection of a radioactive sugar tracer, with a CT taken in the same session to pin down exactly where that activity sits. It covers the body from the base of the skull down to the middle of the thighs, the region examined in most cancer staging and follow-up. You fast beforehand, rest quietly while the tracer is taken up, then spend around half an hour in the scanner.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does PET/CT Scan, Skull Base to Mid-Thigh cost?

$1,445

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $1,445 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $1,445 from a physician practice, and about $1,514 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$1,445$331 to $2,344
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$1,514$1,445 to $3,467

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $1,514 · 10th to 90th $1,445 to $5,012Professionalmedian $1,445 · 10th to 90th $251 to $3,020
$200$500$1K$2K$5Kfacility $1,514professional $1,445

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
$1,445.44
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$1,698.24
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$186.21
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$2,187.76
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$331.13
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$1,202.26
Median
$1,412.54
Typical High
$1,659.59
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$2,570.40
Median
$2,570.40
Typical High
$2,570.40
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$269.15
Typical High
$323.59
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$281.84
BCBS North Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$251.19
Median
$251.19
Typical High
$3,019.95
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,162.28
Median
$5,011.87
Typical High
$5,011.87
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$660.69
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$2,691.53
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$338.84
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$537.03
Median
$1,258.93
Typical High
$2,344.23
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$218.78
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$218.78
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$1,445.44
Typical High
$1,513.56
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$1,445.44
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$3,630.78
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$363.08
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$1,412.54
Median
$2,398.83
Typical High
$3,467.37
Oscar Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$3,467.37
Median
$3,467.37
Typical High
$3,467.37
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$1,288.25
Median
$1,288.25
Typical High
$1,288.25
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$1,513.56
Median
$2,630.27
Typical High
$3,890.45
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$186.21
Typical High
$316.23
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$1,348.96
Median
$2,454.71
Typical High
$3,630.78
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
$1,047.13
Median
$1,148.15
Typical High
$1,148.15
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$724.44
Median
$1,380.38
Typical High
$2,238.72
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$288.40
Median
$549.54
Typical High
$891.25
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$630.96
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$630.96
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$630.96

Where North Carolina sits

The same service costs 21.9 times more in Minnesota than in Washington. 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· 43rd of 51

$1,445

MN $4,786WA $219

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.