CPT code 74178 is the billing code for CT Abdomen/Pelvis (W/WO Contrast). CT of abdomen/pelvis performed both without and with contrast — higher cost than single phase. Medicare pays approximately $340 for this service. Hospitals typically charge $1,500–$7,000 (4.4–20.6x Medicare).
What CPT 74178 means on your bill
When you see CPT 74178 on an itemized hospital bill or Explanation of Benefits, it means you were billed for ct abdomen/pelvis (w/wo contrast). This code is used by all hospitals, physician offices, and outpatient facilities in the United States to report this service to insurers and Medicare.
The charge listed next to CPT 74178 on your bill is the hospital's chargemaster (list) price — not what Medicare or your insurer pays. The actual cost to a Medicare patient is $340. For insured commercial patients, the negotiated rate is typically $612–$850. Uninsured patients are often billed the full chargemaster amount of $1,500–$7,000 unless they specifically ask for a discount or a self-pay rate.
Medicare rate for CPT 74178: What payers actually pay
The CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) Medicare rate for CPT 74178 is approximately $340 for facility-based services. This is the most transparent public benchmark for this procedure and is updated annually in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule.
| Payer | Typical payment for CPT 74178 | How it's set |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare (CMS) | $340 | Federal fee schedule, published annually |
| Commercial insurance | $612–$850 | Negotiated contract rate |
| Medicaid | $237–$340 | State-set rate, typically lower than Medicare |
| Hospital chargemaster | $1,500–$7,000 | Hospital's internal list price; almost nobody pays this |
| Uninsured / self-pay | $600–$7,000 | Full charge unless you negotiate or qualify for charity care |
How to check your CPT 74178 charge
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Scan My Bill Free →- Get the itemized bill. Confirm CPT 74178 is listed with the date of service, quantity, and charge. Request it in writing if you only received a summary statement.
- Check the Medicare rate. The benchmark for CPT 74178 is $340. Any charge above $1,020 (3x Medicare) is worth disputing.
- Verify it matches your records. CPT 74178 should appear in your medical records as a documented service. If you don't recognize it, request your records and compare.
- Check for duplicates. CPT 74178 on the same date more than once is a red flag unless the procedure was genuinely performed multiple times with clinical justification.
- Confirm the code is correct for your situation. The code should match the actual complexity and nature of the service provided. Ask your provider to explain in writing why this specific code was chosen.
When CPT 74178 is commonly overbilled
Billing departments may improperly bill CPT 74178 in these situations:
- Upcoding: Billing CPT 74178 when a lower-complexity code better reflects the actual service performed. This is especially common for evaluation and management (E/M) codes where the documentation doesn't support the level billed.
- Unbundling: Billing CPT 74178 alongside other codes that should be included in a single bundled charge. CMS's National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edits define which codes may not be billed together.
- Duplicate billing: The same CPT 74178 appearing twice on the same date without documented clinical reason.
- Phantom charges: In rare cases, CPT 74178 appears on a bill for a service you did not receive. Always cross-reference your bill with your medical records.
Sample dispute letter for a CPT 74178 overcharge
If your bill shows CPT 74178 at more than 3x the Medicare rate ($1,020), use this letter as a starting point:
Dear [Hospital] Billing Department,
I am writing to dispute the charge of $[AMOUNT] for CPT code 74178 (CT Abdomen/Pelvis (W/WO Contrast)) on my bill dated [DATE]. According to the CMS 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, the Medicare facility rate for CPT 74178 is approximately $340. My charge of $[AMOUNT] represents a markup of [X]x the Medicare benchmark.
I am requesting: (1) a written explanation of how this charge was calculated; (2) any clinical documentation supporting this code; and (3) an adjusted rate closer to the Medicare benchmark or your lowest available self-pay rate.
Please respond within 30 days. I am prepared to escalate this dispute to my state insurance commissioner and the CMS Price Transparency hotline if needed.
For a complete customizable template, see our free medical bill dispute letter guide.
Common billing problems with CPT 74178
- Excessive markup: Charging more than 3–5x the Medicare rate of $340 is worth a formal dispute.
- Missing itemization: You have the right to an itemized bill listing every CPT code. If you received only a summary, request the itemized version immediately.
- Wrong payer rate applied: If you have insurance, confirm your EOB shows the negotiated rate was applied — not the full chargemaster price.
- No prior authorization: Some insurers require prior authorization for CPT 74178. If it wasn't obtained, your insurer may deny the claim and bill you directly — even if the service was medically necessary.
For the full list of CPT codes and Medicare rates, see our Complete CPT Codes & Medicare Rates Guide.