Price Checker / CPT 78018
How much does Thyroid Met Imaging Body cost?
CPT 78018 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is about 3.5x the fair price. You have grounds to ask for a reduction.
Fair price
$410–$830
What this should cost
With insurance
~$58,800
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$1,050
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $2,170 is $1,550 over the fair price (about 3.5x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for Thyroid Met Imaging Body
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| UM Shore Medical Center at Chestertown Chestertown, MD | $3,463 | — | 1157% |
| UM Shore Medical Center at Easton Easton, MD | $3,319 | — | 1104% |
| UM Capital Region Medical Center Largo, MD | $2,279 | — | 727% |
| UM Laurel Medical Center Laurel, MD | $2,248 | — | 716% |
| Frederick Health Hospital FREDERICK, MD | $1,751 | — | 535% |
| Meritus Medical Center, Inc. HAGERSTOWN, MD | $1,505 | — | 446% |
| UM Charles Regional Medical Center La Plata, MD | $1,428 | — | 418% |
| UM Upper Chesapeake Medical Center Bel Air, MD | $1,367 | — | 396% |
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 Thyroid Met Imaging Body
CPT code 78018 refers to thyroid met imaging body (billing description: "Thyroid met imaging body"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $276 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $276 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.