Questions to ask before you book
Short checklists of cost and billing questions for common tests and procedures.
- What is the total self-pay price, in writing, before the visit?
- Does that price include the doctor or radiologist fee and the facility fee, or are those billed separately?
- Which CPT code will you bill, so I can compare prices?
- Is there a prompt-pay or cash discount, and do you offer a payment plan?
- Is this facility in my insurance network, and will anyone out of network be involved?
- If I am uninsured or paying cash, can I get a Good Faith Estimate under the No Surprises Act?
Cost and billing questions only. Not medical advice.
By test or procedure
Complete blood count (CBC) with differential
Cost and billing questions to ask
Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP)
Cost and billing questions to ask
Basic metabolic panel (BMP)
Cost and billing questions to ask
Lipid panel
Cost and billing questions to ask
Hemoglobin A1c
Cost and billing questions to ask
TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
Cost and billing questions to ask
Vitamin D, 25-hydroxy
Cost and billing questions to ask
Urinalysis, automated, without microscopy
Cost and billing questions to ask
PSA, total
Cost and billing questions to ask
Ferritin
Cost and billing questions to ask
Vitamin B12
Cost and billing questions to ask
Hepatic function panel
Cost and billing questions to ask
Prothrombin time (PT/INR)
Cost and billing questions to ask
Free T4
Cost and billing questions to ask
Hepatitis C antibody
Cost and billing questions to ask
MRI of the brain, without contrast
Cost and billing questions to ask
MRI of the lower back (lumbar spine), without contrast
Cost and billing questions to ask
MRI of a leg joint (such as the knee), without contrast
Cost and billing questions to ask
CT scan of the head, without contrast
Cost and billing questions to ask
CT scan of the chest, without contrast
Cost and billing questions to ask
CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis, with contrast
Cost and billing questions to ask
Chest X-ray, 2 views
Cost and billing questions to ask
Shoulder X-ray, 2 or more views
Cost and billing questions to ask
Screening mammogram, both breasts
Cost and billing questions to ask
Ultrasound of the abdomen, complete
Cost and billing questions to ask
Ultrasound of the pelvis
Cost and billing questions to ask
Bone density scan (DEXA)
Cost and billing questions to ask
Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound), complete
Cost and billing questions to ask
Electrocardiogram (EKG), 12 lead
Cost and billing questions to ask
Colonoscopy, diagnostic
Cost and billing questions to ask
Upper endoscopy (EGD) with biopsy
Cost and billing questions to ask