CMS Price Transparency Data

Diagnostic procedure preparation

Facility: University of Alabama Hospital

Billing Code: G0279 (HCPCS)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: G0279
Insurance Median: $469
Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.61x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Diagnostic procedure preparation at University of Alabama Hospital is $469. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is unavailable. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $40.41, this hospital’s rate is 11.61x the Medicare baseline. Located in 619 South 19Th Street, Birmingham, AL.

Cash / Self-Pay

Unavailable

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$469

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$40.41

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $40.41 (100%)

Insurance Median: $469 (1161%)

Ins. Median: $469 (1161% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $40.41 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.

Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)

The negotiated rate at this facility is 1161% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1061%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance Rate (%)

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group	Contract Rate Range	vs. Medicare Reference
Cigna	$40 - $391	99%
UnitedHealthcare	$51 - $318	126%
Viva	$52	129%
University of Alabama	$292	723%
Aetna	$356	881%
Coventry	$380 - $472	940%
North Alabama Managed Care	$380	940%
Comp One	$420	1039%
Construction Claims Management	$437	1081%
Alamed	$438	1084%
Starcare	$467	1156%
Tethys	$467	1156%
Prime Health Services	$467 - $526	1156%
Novanet	$467 - $526	1156%
Corvel	$467	1156%
Select Value Care	$467	1156%
Evolutions	$467 - $526	1156%
Healthcare Alliance	$467	1156%
Multiplan	$479	1185%
Vantage Health Plan	$496	1227%
Heritage Summit Health	$496	1227%
Department of Labor	$496	1227%
Preferred Health Partnership	$496	1227%
Mississippi Physicians	$496	1227%
Humana	$496	1227%
Southern Nuclear	$496	1227%
Geha	$496	1227%
Gulf Health Plans	$496	1227%
Phifer	$496	1227%
North Mississippi Health Link	$526	1302%
National Provider Network	$526	1302%
Galaxy Health Network	$526	1302%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $X.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify HCPCS Code matches exactly: G0279.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm University of Alabama Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for HCPCS code G0279.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.