CPT
70450 — CT scan of head/brain without contrast
Same scan can cost 5x more at a hospital than at an imaging center.
Imaging
76817 — Ultrasound, pregnant uterus, real time with image documentation; transvaginal
A transvaginal (internal) ultrasound performed during pregnancy, where the ultrasound probe is placed inside the vagina for better visualization of the cervix, early embryo, or placenta when transabdominal imaging is ...
- Typical setting: Hospital, imaging center, OB clinic
- National avg charge (illustrative): $80–$190 Medicare/Medicaid allowed; $120–$420 commercial; varies by region
- Most-disputed reason: Billing 76817 (transvaginal during pregnancy) alongside 76801 or 76805 without documenting that transabdominal imaging was performed first and transvaginal was separately necessary
What it means
What 76817 actually means
A transvaginal (internal) ultrasound performed during pregnancy, where the ultrasound probe is placed inside the vagina for better visualization of the cervix, early embryo, or placenta when transabdominal imaging is inadequate. It is often used in early pregnancy to confirm fetal heartbeat or evaluate threatened miscarriage.
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 76817 (transvaginal during pregnancy) alongside 76801 or 76805 without documenting that transabdominal imaging was performed first and transvaginal was separately necessary
- Confusing 76817 (transvaginal during pregnancy) with 76830 (non-obstetric transvaginal ultrasound) — obstetric and non-obstetric transvaginal ultrasounds use different codes
- Missing documentation that a separate clinical indication existed for the transvaginal approach beyond routine obstetric follow-up
If you see 76817 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 76817 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 76817 on a bill.
76817 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
What does 76817 usually cost?
$80–$190 Medicare/Medicaid allowed; $120–$420 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 76817?
Billing 76817 (transvaginal during pregnancy) alongside 76801 or 76805 without documenting that transabdominal imaging was performed first and transvaginal was separately necessary
What should I do if I see 76817 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 76817 before paying.
Don't pay 76817 blindly.
The free scan tells you in under 60 seconds whether this charge looks reasonable for your situation.