How much does a Cardiac nuclear stress imaging cost?

Cardiac nuclear stress imaging · CPT 78452 · A nuclear cardiac stress test images blood flow to the heart muscle at rest and under stress to detect blocked arteries.

The typical insurer-negotiated price for a Cardiac nuclear stress imaging is about $1,878, with most between $1,137 and $3,014 ($3,224 cash/self-pay). Based on published rates from 2,947 U.S. hospitals. Hospital list charges run about $5,807 — roughly 3.1× higher.

Insurer-negotiated
$1,878
typical · $1,137–$3,014
Cash / self-pay
$3,224
typical cash price
Hospital list charge
$5,807
3.1× the negotiated rate

Source: medians across 2,947hospitals' machine-readable price files (required by federal law since 2021). Figures are estimates and vary by hospital, region, insurer, and plan.

Cardiac nuclear stress imaging cost — frequently asked questions

How much does a Cardiac nuclear stress imaging cost with insurance?

The typical insurer-negotiated rate for a Cardiac nuclear stress imaging is about $1,878, with most falling between $1,137 and $3,014, based on published rates from 2,947 U.S. hospitals. What you actually pay depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance.

How much does a Cardiac nuclear stress imaging cost without insurance?

Cash or self-pay prices for a Cardiac nuclear stress imaging run around $3,224. Uninsured patients are often billed the much higher hospital "list" charge first (about $5,807), so it's worth asking for the cash or self-pay rate and negotiating.

Why is my hospital Cardiac nuclear stress imaging bill so much higher?

Hospital "list" (chargemaster) prices for a Cardiac nuclear stress imaging run about $5,807 — roughly 3.1× the $1,878 insurers actually pay. The list price is a starting point almost no one pays; the negotiated and cash rates are the realistic benchmark.

Can I negotiate the cost of a Cardiac nuclear stress imaging?

Yes. If you were charged well above the typical negotiated rate (about $1,878), that gap is negotiable. Upfronte audits your bill against real hospital pricing data and can negotiate it down on your behalf — no savings, no fee.

Were you charged more than $1,878?

Upload your bill and Upfronte will check it against real hospital pricing data and negotiate overcharges. No savings, no fee.

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Cardiac nuclear stress imaging cost by location

Median negotiated prices for specific states and metro areas.

Metro areas

States

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