Price Checker / CPT 38790
How much does Injection For Lymphatic X-ray cost?
CPT 38790 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 46x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$110–$230
What this should cost
With insurance
~$2,450
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$290
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $7,798 is $7,628 over the fair price (about 46x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Injection For Lymphatic X-ray
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| UCSF Health Saint Francis Hospital SAN FRANCISCO, CA | — | — | 28205% |
| Community Behavioral Health Center , CA | $13,846 | $11,077 | 18162% |
| Community Regional Medical Center FRESNO, CA | $13,846 | $11,077 | 18162% |
| Fresno Heart and Surgical Hospital , CA | $13,846 | $11,077 | 18162% |
| "Seattle Children's" , WA | $11,989 | $11,989 | 15713% |
| UPMC Childrens , PA | $6,040 | $4,832 | 7866% |
| UPMC Magee , PA | $5,117 | $4,094 | 6649% |
| Atrium Health Anson WADESBORO, NC | $4,356 | $2,178 | 5645% |
| Atrium Health Behavioral Health Charlotte , NC | $4,356 | $2,178 | 5645% |
| Atrium Health Behavioral Health Davidson , NC | $4,356 | $2,178 | 5645% |
| Atrium Health Cleveland SHELBY, NC | $4,356 | $2,178 | 5645% |
| "Atrium Health Kings Mountain , a facility of Atrium Health Cleveland" | $4,356 | $2,178 | 5645% |
| Atrium Health Stanly , NC | $4,356 | $2,178 | 5645% |
| Community Medical Center TOMS RIVER, NJ | $4,160 | — | 5387% |
| Monmouth Medical Center LONG BRANCH, NJ | $4,160 | — | 5387% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
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About Injection For Lymphatic X-ray
CPT code 38790 refers to injection for lymphatic x-ray (billing description: "Inject for lymphatic x-ray"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $76 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $76 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.