CPT 78816 Nuclear Medicine

How Much Does Pet image w/ct full body Cost?

Pet image w/ct full body (CPT 78816) costs $178 at Medicare rates. Hospital outpatient rate: $1.

Cost Comparison by Payer

How much Pet image w/ct full body costs across different settings and payers

Medicare
Facility rate
$178
Hospital Outpatient
OPPS rate
$1
Surgery Center
ASC rate
$785
Medicare (Facility)
$178
CMS PFS 2026 national rate
Medicare (Office/Clinic)
$598
Non-facility setting
Hospital Outpatient
$1
OPPS rate
Surgery Center (ASC)
$785
Ambulatory surgery center

Pet image w/ct full body Cost by Location

Medicare-adjusted rates across CMS localities

Location Medicare Rate Est. Commercial
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 05 $128 $192 — $320
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 09 $130 $195 — $324
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 51 $123 $185 — $308
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 52 $128 $192 — $320
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 53 $123 $184 — $307
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 54 $114 $171 — $286
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 55 $114 $171 — $284
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 56 $114 $171 — $284
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 57 $114 $171 — $284
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 58 $114 $171 — $284
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 59 $114 $171 — $284
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 60 $114 $171 — $284
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 61 $114 $171 — $284
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 62 $115 $173 — $288
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 63 $117 $176 — $293
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 64 $117 $175 — $291
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 65 $130 $196 — $326
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 66 $117 $176 — $293
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 67 $118 $177 — $296
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 68 $114 $171 — $284
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 69 $114 $171 — $284
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 70 $114 $171 — $284
US — Carrier 01112 Locality 75 $114 $171 — $284
US — Carrier 01182 Locality 17 $117 $176 — $293
US — Carrier 01182 Locality 18 $119 $178 — $296

How to Reduce Your Cost for Pet image w/ct full body

Practical tips that can save you hundreds or thousands of dollars

  • 1
    Ask about cash-pay discounts

    Many hospitals and clinics offer 20-40% discounts for self-pay patients. Always ask before scheduling.

  • 2
    Compare facility vs. office setting costs

    For this procedure, the office rate ($598) differs from the facility rate ($178). Ask if it can be done in an office setting.

  • 3
    Shop around — costs vary significantly

    Medicare rates for this procedure range from $106 to $153 depending on location. Commercial rates vary even more.

  • 4
    Check ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs)

    This procedure is available at ASCs for $785, compared to $1 at hospital outpatient departments. ASCs often offer lower costs with comparable quality.

How is the Price Calculated?

Medicare calculates procedure payments using Relative Value Units (RVUs). Each procedure has three components multiplied by a conversion factor ($33.40 in 2026) and adjusted by geographic cost indices.

2.46
Work RVU
2.85
Practice Expense RVU
0.18
Malpractice RVU

Payment = Total RVU () x CF ($33.40) = N/A

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does Pet image w/ct full body cost?

The Medicare facility rate for Pet image w/ct full body is $178. In a hospital outpatient setting, the rate is $1. At an ambulatory surgery center, the rate is $785. Commercial insurance rates typically range from 150% to 250% of Medicare (varies by plan).

How much does Pet image w/ct full body cost without insurance?

Without insurance, the cost of Pet image w/ct full body can range from 150% of Medicare to 500% of Medicare depending on the facility. Many hospitals and clinics offer self-pay discounts of 20-40% off their chargemaster price. Always ask about cash pricing before your visit.

Does insurance cover Pet image w/ct full body?

Most commercial health insurance plans and Medicare cover Pet image w/ct full body when ordered by a physician for a medically necessary reason. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your plan's deductible, copay/coinsurance structure, and whether you use an in-network provider. Check with your insurance company before scheduling to confirm coverage and get a cost estimate.

Why does the cost vary so much by location?

Medicare adjusts payments using Geographic Practice Cost Indices (GPCIs) that reflect local differences in physician work costs, practice expenses, and malpractice insurance. Manhattan, San Francisco, and other high-cost areas pay significantly more than rural regions. Commercial insurers follow similar geographic patterns.

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