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Montana

Cost of a CT Abdomen Pelvis Visit
in Montana

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Montana's vast geography creates significant healthcare access challenges, with many residents traveling hours to reach specialized imaging centers. CT Abdomen Pelvis scans in Montana typically cost patients between $79 and $1,834, with a median out-of-pocket expense of $621. The state's 333 active CT Abdomen Pelvis providers are concentrated primarily in larger cities like Billings and Missoula, leaving rural communities with limited options.

Average

$845

Median

$621

Lowest

$79

Highest

$1,834

Providers

333

National avg: $593Montana: $845

43% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does ct abdomen & pelvis compare to related procedures in Montana?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
MRI Brain

MRI of the brain with and without contrast

70553$100$552$59091
MRI Knee

MRI of the knee without contrast

73721$59$327$35898
MRI Lumbar Spine

MRI of the lumbar spine without contrast

72148$73$368$2,851350
CT Chest

CT scan of the chest with contrast

71260$54$171$263108

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 74177CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 74177 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 74177 (CT abdomen and pelvis with contrast), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 74177 covers: the provider's professional fee for ct abdomen & pelvis. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Why CT Abdomen Pelvis Visit Costs Vary Across Montana

Montana's CT Abdomen Pelvis costs run approximately 28% above national averages, reflecting the state's rural geography and limited provider competition. The concentration of imaging facilities in Billings, Missoula, and Great Falls creates cost disparities between urban centers and outlying communities where patients often travel significant distances for care.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Montana's 147,000 square miles contain just 333 CT Abdomen Pelvis providers, creating stark access differences between cities like Billings with multiple imaging options versus rural counties served by single facilities. Patients in eastern Montana frequently drive 100+ miles to reach imaging centers, while western regions benefit from proximity to Missoula and Kalispell facilities. This geographic disparity allows urban providers to command higher rates due to convenience factors.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned imaging departments in Montana typically charge 40-60% more than independent imaging centers due to higher overhead costs and facility fees. Major health systems like Billings Clinic and Providence St. Patrick Hospital operate most hospital-based CT scanners, while independent centers in Missoula and Great Falls offer competitive alternatives. Rural critical access hospitals often maintain older equipment that may affect both image quality and pricing structures.

Insurance Market Competition in Montana

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Montana holds the largest market share, followed by PacificSource and UnitedHealthcare, creating moderate insurer competition that helps contain negotiated rates. The limited number of major insurers means imaging facilities have less negotiating leverage compared to states with more diverse payer mixes. Rural areas often see even less competition, with some counties dominated by a single insurer that significantly influences local pricing patterns.

Physician Supply and Demand in Montana

Montana's 333 active CT Abdomen Pelvis providers serve a population of just over one million, creating adequate supply in urban areas but significant shortages in rural regions. This uneven distribution allows urban providers to maintain premium pricing while rural facilities may offer discounts to attract patients from distant communities. Wait times for non-urgent scans typically range from same-day availability in cities to 2-3 weeks in rural areas, reflecting the supply-demand imbalance across different regions.

JP

Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — CT Abdomen Pelvis Costs in Montana

What is the average cost of a CT Abdomen Pelvis visit in Montana without insurance?

Uninsured patients in Montana typically pay between $79 and $1,834 for a CT Abdomen Pelvis scan, with a median cost of $621. Many imaging centers offer cash-pay discounts of 30-50% off standard rates for patients who pay upfront. Independent imaging facilities generally charge less than hospital-based departments, making it worthwhile to compare options in your area.

Does Montana Medicaid cover CT Abdomen Pelvis visits?

Yes, Montana expanded Medicaid covers CT Abdomen Pelvis scans when medically necessary and ordered by a physician. Prior authorization is typically required, which your doctor's office will handle by submitting clinical information to justify the imaging study. Coverage includes both the technical component (taking the scan) and professional component (radiologist interpretation) when performed at approved facilities.

How do I find an affordable CT Abdomen Pelvis near me in Montana?

Compare prices between hospital-owned imaging centers and independent facilities, as independents often charge 40-60% less than hospital departments. Ask about self-pay discounts if you're uninsured, and consider traveling to facilities in Billings or Missoula where competition may drive down prices. Community health centers and critical access hospitals sometimes offer sliding-scale pricing based on income for qualifying patients.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

CT Abdomen Pelvis scans are typically ordered by physicians rather than requiring separate specialist consultations, so the imaging cost remains consistent at $79-$1,834 regardless of whether it's your first scan or a follow-up study. However, the physician consultation fees vary, with new patient visits generally costing more than established patient follow-ups. Many patients receive scan results during routine follow-up appointments without additional imaging-related consultation charges.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a CT Abdomen Pelvis visit in Montana?

Yes, CT Abdomen Pelvis scans qualify as eligible medical expenses under both Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) when ordered by a physician for diagnostic purposes. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay for the scan itself, contrast materials if needed, and any related consultation fees. Keep all receipts and documentation showing the medical necessity of the imaging study for your account records.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a CT Abdomen Pelvis in Montana?

While CT scans themselves require in-person visits to imaging facilities, telemedicine can reduce overall costs by allowing remote consultations for scan results and follow-up care. Montana's rural geography makes telehealth particularly valuable, as patients can discuss results with specialists in Billings or Missoula without traveling long distances. Some insurers offer lower copays for telemedicine follow-up visits, and many imaging centers now provide virtual consultations for scan planning and results review.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$230
$7,060

Office visit (CPT 74177)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1North Dakota
Range: $82$10,549
$7,060
2Minnesota
Range: $88$10,549
$3,579
3Alaska
Range: $85$1,834
$1,251
4Montana
Range: $79$1,834
$845
5South Dakota
Range: $79$2,156
$834
6Wisconsin
Range: $79$2,090
$803
7Washington
Range: $79$1,834
$727
8West Virginia
Range: $76$1,843
$716
9Oregon
Range: $79$1,834
$713
10Idaho
Range: $79$1,834
$705
11Nebraska
Range: $116$753
$428
12Massachusetts
Range: $80$896
$425
13Maine
Range: $140$656
$418
14Iowa
Range: $85$753
$400
15Wyoming
Range: $80$814
$399
16Georgia
Range: $85$809
$398
17Rhode Island
Range: $79$827
$396
18District of Columbia
Range: $72$827
$388
19New Hampshire
Range: $101$740
$388
20Vermont
Range: $73$848
$383
21New Mexico
Range: $75$801
$369
22Connecticut
Range: $77$755
$361
23New York
Range: $65$782
$361
24Pennsylvania
Range: $76$753
$348
25Hawaii
Range: $80$766
$346
26Colorado
Range: $80$672
$337
27Indiana
Range: $79$687
$333
28North Carolina
Range: $80$648
$332
29Delaware
Range: $73$651
$316
30Utah
Range: $79$552
$309
31Illinois
Range: $80$537
$302
32Florida
Range: $72$603
$294
33Nevada
Range: $85$504
$290
34Kentucky
Range: $75$576
$287
35New Jersey
Range: $64$558
$286
36Michigan
Range: $80$534
$281
37Texas
Range: $80$534
$278
38Maryland
Range: $36$594
$278
39California
Range: $70$672
$276
40South Carolina
Range: $80$505
$267
41Tennessee
Range: $84$462
$264
42Arkansas
Range: $85$460
$263
43Virginia
Range: $60$515
$263
44Arizona
Range: $79$482
$255
45Mississippi
Range: $71$460
$245
46Missouri
Range: $89$385
$245
47Alabama
Range: $71$460
$244
48Kansas
Range: $89$399
$244
49Oklahoma
Range: $77$469
$243
50Ohio
Range: $69$449
$234
51Louisiana
Range: $66$424
$230
CT Abdomen & Pelvis in Other States