Price Checker / CPT 36246
How much does Ins Cath Abd/l-ext Art 2nd cost?
CPT 36246 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 55x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$2,400–$2,800
What this should cost
With insurance
~$112,600
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$3,500
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $141,600 is $139,000 over the fair price (about 55x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Ins Cath Abd/l-ext Art 2nd
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bay Hospital RED BAY, AL | $231,200 | — | 28874% |
| UAB St. Vincent's Birmingham , AL | $52,000 | — | 6417% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About Ins Cath Abd/l-ext Art 2nd
CPT code 36246 refers to ins cath abd/l-ext art 2nd (billing description: "Ins cath abd/l-ext art 2nd"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $221 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $798 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.