CPT
70450 — CT scan of head/brain without contrast
Same scan can cost 5x more at a hospital than at an imaging center.
Imaging
74170 — CT abdomen; without contrast material, and with contrast material
A CT scan of the abdomen performed in two phases — first without contrast dye, then after contrast injection — to better characterize masses, detect bleeding, or evaluate organ perfusion.
- Typical setting: Hospital, imaging center
- National avg charge (illustrative): $225–$500 Medicare allowed; $375–$1,200 commercial; varies by region
- Most-disputed reason: Billing 74150 (without contrast) and 74160 (with contrast) separately instead of the single combined code 74170 when both phases were performed on one encounter
What it means
What 74170 actually means
A CT scan of the abdomen performed in two phases — first without contrast dye, then after contrast injection — to better characterize masses, detect bleeding, or evaluate organ perfusion. The dual-phase approach gives more diagnostic information than either phase alone.
Common errors with this code
What goes wrong on real bills.
Most bills that look correct still contain at least one of these issues. Up to 49% of medical bills contain errors (CFPB).
- Billing 74150 (without contrast) and 74160 (with contrast) separately instead of the single combined code 74170 when both phases were performed on one encounter
- Choosing 74170 (abdomen only) when a combined abdomen and pelvis CT was performed — the correct code would be 74178 (abdomen+pelvis, without and with contrast)
- Missing documentation distinguishing why dual-phase imaging was clinically necessary rather than contrast-only study
If you see 74170 on your bill
Three steps before paying.
1. Get the itemized bill. If your statement only shows a summary, request the CPT-level itemized bill before paying. Generate the request language →
2. Cross-check against the EOB. Compare what your insurer's Explanation of Benefits says you owe versus what the hospital is asking. They disagree more often than people think. Read the bill-vs-EOB guide →
3. Run a free Bill Scan. Upload the bill (and EOB if you have it) and BillBusted will flag the most likely issues with this specific code in your specific state. Run free scan →
Related codes
Other codes in this category.
People who land on 74170 often also see these adjacent codes on the same bill.
CPT
70470 — CT head/brain with and without contrast
If contrast wasn't given, 70470 is the wrong code.
CPT
70486 — CT maxillofacial area; without contrast material
Imaging — verify professional + technical components weren't double-billed.
CPT
70551 — MRI brain without contrast
Same scan can be 5x cheaper at a freestanding imaging center.
CPT
71045 — Chest X-ray, single view
Same image can cost 10x more at a hospital than a freestanding imaging center.
CPT
71046 — Chest X-ray, two views (PA + lateral)
Two-view CXR is standard. Watch the price gap between hospital and freestanding.
Related BillBusted guides
Plain-English reads if you see 74170 on a bill.
74170 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 74170 usually cost?
$225–$500 Medicare allowed; $375–$1,200 commercial; varies by region. Costs vary by region, payer contract, and whether the service was performed in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a facility fee) versus a free-standing clinic.
What's the most common billing error on 74170?
Billing 74150 (without contrast) and 74160 (with contrast) separately instead of the single combined code 74170 when both phases were performed on one encounter
What should I do if I see 74170 on my bill?
Request the itemized bill and the matching EOB from your insurer. Compare the units/quantity billed against what you actually received. Run a free BillBusted scan to flag the most likely errors specific to 74170 before paying.
Don't pay 74170 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.