Injection of radioactive material for x-ray identification of lymph node
Medicare pricing data for 5,400 providers across 52 states
This procedure has a 9.5x markup — hospitals charge $268.75 but Medicare allows only $28.26. Uninsured patients may face bills 9.5 times higher than what insurance negotiates. Prices vary significantly by location — from $18 in Vermont to $52 in New Mexico. Where you get this procedure matters more than almost any other factor. Note: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees are billed separately and can be 2-5x the physician fee.
💡 What You Should Know
Injection of radioactive material for x-ray identification of lymph node (HCPCS code 38792) is a medical procedure billed to Medicare. The average Medicare-allowed cost is $28.26, but hospitals typically charge $268.75 — a 9.5x markup. Prices vary significantly by state and provider.
🏷️ Typical Out-of-Pocket Cost
Medicare patients typically pay about 20% of the allowed amount as coinsurance. Based on the average allowed cost of $28.26, your out-of-pocket cost would be approximately $5.65. Actual costs depend on your specific plan, deductible, and whether you've met your annual out-of-pocket maximum.
What Hospitals Charge vs. What Medicare Pays
Hospitals charge 9.5x more than what Medicare allows for this procedure. Medicare actually pays $22.25 on average.
Cost by State
Medicare-allowed amounts vary significantly by state
| State | Allowed Cost | Hospital Charge | Providers | Services | vs. National |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $52 | $181 | 17 | 99 | +85.1% |
| Kansas | $44 | $194 | 75 | 371 | +55.0% |
| Alaska | $39 | $347 | 23 | 87 | +37.4% |
| Maryland | $38 | $194 | 95 | 715 | +34.2% |
| California | $37 | $294 | 424 | 1,983 | +31.7% |
| Arkansas | $34 | $156 | 63 | 330 | +20.4% |
| Florida | $34 | $206 | 254 | 1,598 | +18.9% |
| Hawaii | $31 | $104 | 8 | 50 | +9.0% |
| Tennessee | $31 | $186 | 148 | 743 | +8.1% |
| New Jersey | $30 | $238 | 206 | 818 | +6.8% |
| Illinois | $30 | $394 | 196 | 819 | +6.2% |
| Michigan | $30 | $141 | 162 | 642 | +4.9% |
| Washington | $30 | $145 | 128 | 786 | +4.6% |
| Nevada | $29 | $411 | 45 | 157 | +3.4% |
| New York | $29 | $422 | 242 | 1,509 | +3.4% |
| South Dakota | $29 | $214 | 18 | 62 | +1.7% |
| Virginia | $28 | $282 | 138 | 943 | -1.5% |
| Oregon | $28 | $156 | 87 | 358 | -1.6% |
| Missouri | $28 | $283 | 96 | 443 | -1.8% |
| South Carolina | $27 | $529 | 97 | 460 | -3.4% |
| Texas | $27 | $445 | 324 | 1,496 | -4.6% |
| Mississippi | $27 | $255 | 54 | 348 | -5.3% |
| Massachusetts | $26 | $242 | 150 | 604 | -6.3% |
| Wyoming | $26 | $226 | 17 | 63 | -7.4% |
| Montana | $26 | $119 | 24 | 87 | -8.4% |
| New Hampshire | $25 | $421 | 38 | 163 | -10.3% |
| Rhode Island | $25 | $168 | 12 | 19 | -10.5% |
| Oklahoma | $25 | $113 | 38 | 245 | -10.8% |
| Pennsylvania | $25 | $225 | 249 | 1,410 | -11.6% |
| Colorado | $25 | $268 | 116 | 522 | -11.6% |
| North Carolina | $25 | $210 | 209 | 1,025 | -12.8% |
| Wisconsin | $25 | $544 | 164 | 497 | -13.0% |
| Iowa | $24 | $178 | 110 | 438 | -13.6% |
| Kentucky | $24 | $217 | 70 | 308 | -13.9% |
| Louisiana | $24 | $199 | 121 | 450 | -14.0% |
| Minnesota | $24 | $251 | 149 | 622 | -14.6% |
| Arizona | $24 | $279 | 102 | 760 | -15.4% |
| Nebraska | $24 | $171 | 57 | 259 | -15.9% |
| Alabama | $24 | $272 | 106 | 318 | -16.0% |
| North Dakota | $24 | $252 | 16 | 92 | -16.8% |
| Idaho | $23 | $228 | 38 | 129 | -16.9% |
| Georgia | $23 | $317 | 128 | 488 | -17.3% |
| Indiana | $22 | $232 | 112 | 578 | -21.2% |
| Ohio | $22 | $192 | 235 | 1,115 | -22.1% |
| District of Columbia | $21 | $170 | 14 | 62 | -24.6% |
| Connecticut | $21 | $324 | 74 | 286 | -25.5% |
| Maine | $21 | $248 | 12 | 32 | -25.6% |
| West Virginia | $20 | $286 | 32 | 105 | -28.1% |
| Delaware | $20 | $130 | 17 | 170 | -30.4% |
| Puerto Rico | $18 | $57 | 7 | 11 | -35.3% |
| Utah | $18 | $153 | 33 | 240 | -35.6% |
| Vermont | $18 | $378 | 12 | 101 | -37.8% |
⚠️ Important: These costs reflect the Medicare physician/supplier component. Hospital facility fees may be billed separately. Total out-of-pocket costs may be higher.
💊 Need post-procedure medications? Check costs on OpenPrescriber