CPT
70450 — CT scan of head/brain without contrast
Same scan can cost 5x more at a hospital than at an imaging center.
Imaging
74176 — CT abdomen and pelvis without contrast
Non-contrast CT scan of abdomen and pelvis. Used for kidney stones, blunt trauma, unexplained abdominal pain.
- Typical setting: Hospital outpatient or imaging center
- National avg charge (illustrative): Insurance allowed $300-$900; cash freestanding $400-$1,200; hospital $1,500-$5,000+.
- Most-disputed reason: Hospital pricing inflated.
What it means
What 74176 actually means
CPT 74176 is a non-contrast CT of the abdomen and pelvis. It's the workhorse code for kidney stones, blunt trauma, and acute unexplained abdominal pain.
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).
- Billed as 74177 (with contrast) or 74178 (with and without) when no contrast was given.
- Hospital outpatient pricing 3-5x freestanding alternatives.
- Reported with separate professional + technical when bundled rates apply.
If you see 74176 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 74176 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 74176 on a bill.
74176 FAQ
Plain-English answers.
Don't pay 74176 blindly.
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