Scans and imaging CPT 78226 Outpatient

HIDA scan cost in Chicago, IL

In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 60 hospitals list a cash price for HIDA scan: nuclear imaging of the liver, bile ducts and gallbladder: from $155.01 to $4,692.30, with a median of $1,345.00. The lowest listed price is at Franciscan Health Rensselaer — $1,189.99 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $1,449.18 at 106 hospitals.

  • The median here, $1,345.00, is 3% above the US median of $1,299.64.
  • That is 3.3× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($408.43).
  • 9 of 60 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.

Cash prices at 60 facilities across 44 cities for code 78226, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 10, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 1, 2025 and Nov 6, 2026.

Lowest$155.01Franciscan Health Rensselaer
Median$1,345.00half of hospitals charge less
Highest$4,692.30in this market
Difference30.3×highest vs lowest

Where each hospital's price falls

Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.

median
Lowest $155.01Highest $4,692.30

Hospitals, cheapest first

HospitalCash priceList priceInsurers payOff list
Franciscan Health Rensselaer lowest Rensselaer, IN · (219) 866-5141 Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file $155.01 $433.00 $108.25–$1,749.06 64%
Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 NM Hepatobiliary Imaging Injection/Scan BCE+1 more line at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file $273.26 $803.70 $133.66–$522.41 66%
Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM IMAGING File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file $315.81 $957.00 $291.23–$848.52 67%
Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Hepatobil Sys Imag W/WO Gallbladder File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file $402.99 $2,121.00 $363.22–$1,176.32 81%
MacNeal Hospital Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 Hepatobil Sys Imag W/WO Gallbladder File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file $402.99 $2,121.00 $402.99–$2,937.59 81%
Mercy Medical Center Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 HEPATOBILIARY SYS IMAGE W/GLBD File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file $426.00 $2,330.00 $259.20–$2,330.00 82%
Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet Joliet, IL · (815) 725-7133 HEPATOBILIARY SYS IMAGE W/GLBD File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file $426.00 $2,909.00 $259.20–$2,909.00 85%
Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC NM HEPATOBILIARY SYST IMAGING INCLUDING GALLBLADDR File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file $426.00 $957.00 $209.58–$957.00 55%
Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC HEPATOBILIARY SYST IMAGING INCLUDING GALLBLADDER File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $433.75 $1,735.00 — 75%
Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC HEPATOBILIARY SYST IMAGING INCLUDING GALLBLADDER File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $433.75 $1,735.00 — 75%
Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC HEPATOBILIARY SYST IMAGING INCLUDING GALLBLADDER File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $433.75 $1,735.00 — 75%
Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC HEPATOBILIARY SYST IMAGING INCLUDING GALLBLADDER File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $433.75 $1,735.00 — 75%
Roseland Community Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 Nuclear medicine study of liver and bile duct system File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file $461.21 $994.00 $398.41–$1,093.40 54%
Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Hepatobil Sys Imag W/WO Gallbladder File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file $487.83 $2,121.00 $793.25–$2,235.53 77%
Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Nuclear medicine study of liver and bile duct system File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file $656.76 $2,345.57 $774.04–$2,462.85 72%
John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 HEPATOBIL SYST IMAGE W/O DRUG File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $715.40 $1,022.00 $132.44–$817.60 30%
Morris Hospital Morris, IL · (815) 942-2932 Nuclear medicine study of liver and bile duct system File of Oct 27, 2026 · source file $733.35 $3,048.00 $1,316.74–$3,139.44 76%
Loretto Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 626-4300 NM HEPATOBILIARY SCAN File of Nov 5, 2026 · source file $789.16 $1,315.26 $56.69–$1,315.26 40%
Franciscan Health Munster Munster, IN · (219) 922-4200 Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file $823.03 $3,864.00 $422.96–$2,898.00 79%
NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Hepatobiliary Syst Img W/Gallbladd File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file $949.00 $1,460.00 $197.10–$797.16 35%
NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Hepatobiliary Syst Img W/Gallbladd File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file $949.00 $1,460.00 $197.10–$797.16 35%
Franciscan Health Crown Point Crown Point, IN · (219) 757-6100 Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file $960.79 $3,724.00 $3,724.00 74%
Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Nuclear medicine study of liver and bile duct system File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $988.75 $1,977.50 $428.40–$1,977.50 50%
Northwest Health - Porter Valparaiso, IN · (219) 983-8300 NM Hepatobiliary System Scan 1 File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $1,030.59 $3,817.00 $264.54–$3,206.28 73%
Franciscan Health Dyer Dyer, IN · (219) 865-2141 Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file $1,043.28 $3,864.00 $428.40–$2,898.00 73%
Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 NM Hepatobiliary Imaging Injection/Scan BCE+1 more line at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file $1,086.78 $3,196.42 $406.31–$2,077.67 66%
Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING W/WO GB File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file $1,345.00 $2,690.00 $621.18–$4,490.00 50%
Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING W/WO GB File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file $1,345.00 $2,690.00 $621.18–$4,490.00 50%
Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING W/WO GB File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file $1,345.00 $2,690.00 $621.18–$4,490.00 50%
Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING W/WO GB File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file $1,345.00 $2,690.00 $625.77–$4,490.00 50%
Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING W/WO GB File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file $1,345.00 $2,690.00 $621.18–$4,490.00 50%
Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING W/WO GB File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file $1,345.00 $2,690.00 $621.18–$4,490.00 50%
Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING W/WO GB File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file $1,345.00 $2,690.00 $621.18–$4,490.00 50%
Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING W/WO GB File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file $1,345.00 $2,690.00 $621.18–$4,490.00 50%
Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING W/WO GB File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file $1,345.00 $2,690.00 $621.18–$3,430.00 50%
Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING W/WO GB File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file $1,345.00 $2,690.00 $621.18–$4,490.00 50%
Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING W/WO GB File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file $1,345.00 $2,690.00 $625.77–$3,430.00 50%
Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $1,379.00 $1,379.00 — —
Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $1,537.90 $2,197.00 $351.52–$2,197.00 30%
Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB HEPATOBILIARY SYST IMG W/GALLBLADDER File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $1,643.00 $1,643.00 — —
Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB HEPATOBILIARY SYST IMG W/GALLBLADDER File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $1,643.00 $1,643.00 — —
Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL HB HEPATOBILIARY SYST IMG W/GALLBLADDER File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $1,643.00 $1,643.00 — —
Jackson Park Hospital Foundation Chicago, IL · (773) 947-7500 NM SCAN HEPATOBILIARY File of Dec 26, 2025 · source file $1,664.08 $2,080.10 — 20%
Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $1,841.00 $2,630.00 $391.87–$2,630.00 30%
Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $1,841.00 $2,630.00 $181.47–$2,630.00 30%
Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $1,880.20 $2,686.00 $445.88–$2,686.00 30%
Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $1,880.20 $2,686.00 $518.40–$2,686.00 30%
Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H NM HEPATOBILIARY IMAGING File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file $1,882.30 $2,689.00 $457.13–$2,554.55 30%
Mercyhealth Crystal Lake Hospital & Medical Center Crystal Lake, IL · (792) 220-5500 HC HEPATOBIL SCAN File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file $1,904.30 $2,539.06 — 25%
Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $1,960.00 $2,800.00 $512.40–$2,800.00 30%
Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC NM HEPATO T-MAX File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file $1,973.40 $2,631.20 — 25%
Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC HEPATOBIL SCAN File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file $1,973.52 $2,631.36 — 25%
Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $2,393.30 $3,419.00 $649.61–$3,419.00 30%
Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB Hepatobiliary System Imaging File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $2,845.50 $4,065.00 $514.10–$4,065.00 30%
Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC NUCLEAR MED HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM IMAGING INCL GALLBLADDER IF PRSNT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $2,929.00 $2,929.00 — —
Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC NUCLEAR MED HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM IMAGING INCL GALLBLADDER IF PRSNT File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $2,929.00 $2,929.00 — —
The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 NM Hepatobiliary File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file $3,059.00 $4,370.00 $420.88–$3,889.30 30%
Methodist Hospital-Southlake Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 NM Hepatobiliary File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file $3,059.00 $4,370.00 $420.88–$3,889.30 30%
The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Hepatobiliary System Imaging, Including Gallbladder When Present File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $3,888.00 $3,888.00 — —
Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Hepatobiliary System Imaging, Including Gallbladder When Present File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file $4,117.00 $4,117.00 — —
Vista Medical Center East Waukegan, IL · (847) 360-3000 NM-HEPATOBILIARY SYS File of Mar 31, 2025 · source file $4,692.30 $4,692.30 $281.54–$887.00 —
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More

Outpatient: lowest $155.01, median $1,345.00, highest $4,692.30 — a 30.3× difference within the same market.

As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 38 facilities here, median $1,345.00. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.

Cash or insurance?

At 42 of 45 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 4 it is below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.

What HIDA scan is, what the price covers and why prices differ: HIDA scan explained.

3 rows held back from this comparison

They are priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 78226 ($1,438.58). Such a line is almost always a physician's fee billed separately, an assistant's share or a placeholder — a real charge, but not the price of the procedure itself.

HospitalCash priceFile
Loretto Hospital Chicago, ILPF NM HEPATOBILIARY SYSTEM IMG $56.69 file
Loretto Hospital Chicago, ILNM GI system $56.69 file
John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital Chicago, ILPF-HEPATOBIL SYST W/O DRUG $63.00 file
File Link to the hospital's own price file.