TABLE 4.

Estimated Cost of Additional Diagnostic Exams

Additional Diagnostic Examination CPT Description (CPT Code)	2009 Average Medicare Reimbursement (US $)	No. of Examinations	Total Cost (US $)
CT, thorax; without contrast material (CPT 71250)	211.71	10	2,117.10
Urography (pyelography), IV, with or without KUB, with or without tomography (CPT 74400)	108.56	1	108.56
Lung or mediastinum biopsy (CPT 32405) plus CT guidance for needle placement (CPT 77012)	300.80	1	300.80
Biopsy, lung or mediastinum, percutaneous needle (CPT 32405)	100.27	0	0
CT guidance for needle placement (e.g., biopsy, aspiration, injection, localization device), radiologic   supervision and interpretation (CPT 77012)	200.53	0	0
Level 4 - Surgical pathology, gross and microscopic examination (lung, transbronchial biopsy)   (CPT 88305)	103.87	1	103.87
Total	—	13	2,630.33

Note—The average cost per study patient (n = 151) was $17.42. The average cost per patient with imaging follow-up (n = 6) was $438.39.

CPT = Current Procedural Terminology.