Price Checker / CPT 49000
How much does Exploration Of Abdomen cost?
CPT 49000 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is around 11x the fair price — among the most extreme markups. Dispute this.
Fair price
$3,400–$4,000
What this should cost
With insurance
~$3,100
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$5,000
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $39,362 is $35,662 over the fair price (about 11x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Exploration Of Abdomen
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| "St. Mary's General Hospital" PASSAIC, NJ | $233,685 | — | 31964% |
| Franklin Hospital District BENTON, IL | $31,080 | $23,310 | 4164% |
| Winner Regional Health Winner, SD | $11,665 | — | 1421% |
| ALLEN HOSPITAL Oberlin, OH | $10,436 | — | 1332% |
| Jackson Park Hospital Chicago, IL | $9,887 | — | 1257% |
| University of New Mexico Hospital , NM | $6,375 | — | 1068% |
| UNM Sandoval Regional Medical Center , NM | $6,375 | — | 1068% |
| Valley View Hospital Glenwood Springs CO 81601| 1450 East Valley Road Suite 202 Basalt, CO | $5,395 | — | 314% |
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 Exploration Of Abdomen
CPT code 49000 refers to exploration of abdomen (billing description: "Exploration of abdomen"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $729 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $729 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.