Understanding Your Imaging Bill: Common Charges

You had your scan, got your results, and now the bill arrives — full of codes and charges that seem like a foreign language. You are not alone. Medical billing is one of the most confusing parts of healthcare. Here is a guide to understanding your imaging bill.

Why Are There Multiple Charges?

Most imaging exams generate two separate bills:

1. Technical fee (facility fee) — This covers the equipment, technologists, supplies (like contrast dye), and the imaging center itself
2. Professional fee (reading fee) — This pays the radiologist who interprets your images and writes the report

These may come from different billing offices, so you might receive two statements for one scan. This is normal.

Common Line Items Explained

Here are charges you may see on your imaging bill:

CPT Codes

CPT (Current Procedural Terminology) codes describe what was done. Common imaging codes include:

• 70553 — MRI of the brain with and without contrast
• 74177 — CT of the abdomen and pelvis with contrast
• 77067 — Screening mammography, bilateral
• 76856 — Ultrasound of the pelvis

Your bill should list the CPT code and a description. If you see a code you do not recognize, ask your imaging center to explain it.

Contrast Charges

If your scan used contrast dye (gadolinium for MRI, iodine-based for CT), you may see a separate charge for the contrast material and its administration. This is standard, as the FDA regulates these agents and they have a real cost.

Supplies and Administration

Some bills include line items for:

• IV access and supplies
• Sedation (if used)
• 3D reconstruction or additional imaging views
• CD or digital image transfer

Understanding Your Insurance Adjustment

When your insurance processes the claim, you will see:

• Billed amount — What the facility charged
• Allowed amount — What your insurance has negotiated as the maximum payable rate
• Insurance paid — What your plan covered
• Your responsibility — What you owe (copay, deductible, or coinsurance)

The billed amount is almost never what you actually pay. Your insurance negotiates a lower rate, and you are responsible only for your share of that lower amount.

Common Billing Mistakes to Watch For

Errors happen. Review your bill for:

• Duplicate charges — The same service listed twice
• Wrong procedure code — A code that does not match what was performed
• Missing insurance payment — Your insurance should have been billed but was not
• Balance billing — An in-network facility should not bill you beyond your cost-sharing amount

According to the American College of Radiology, patients should always compare their bill to their Explanation of Benefits (EOB) from their insurance company.

How to Handle a Bill You Do Not Understand

1. Call the billing office — Ask for a detailed, itemized bill
2. Compare to your EOB — Make sure the amounts match
3. Ask about financial assistance — Many facilities offer payment plans
4. Dispute errors in writing — If you find an error, submit a written dispute

How AMI Keeps Things Simple

At Advanced Medical Imaging, we believe in transparent pricing. Our team:

• Verifies your insurance benefits before your appointment
• Provides cost estimates upfront when possible
• Offers competitive self-pay pricing for uninsured patients
• Has a billing team ready to answer your questions

Get the Imaging You Need Without Billing Surprises

Questions about costs? Call (727) 398-5999 before your appointment, and we will help you understand what to expect. Schedule your exam today at our Seminole, FL location.

Sources: - ACR — Patient Billing Resources - FDA — Contrast Agent Safety - CMS.gov — Reading Your Medicare Summary Notice