X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Saint John Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $82
- Cash Discount Price: $81
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.92x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $88.91 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Comp Alliance Workers Comp | $29 | 33% |
| Oha Networks | $31 | 35% |
| Worker Compensation | $32 | 36% |
| Aetna | $44 - $82 | 49% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $49 | 55% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $72 - $151 | 81% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $74 - $115 | 83% |
| Healthy Blue | $75 - $86 | 84% |
| Celtic | $75 - $131 | 84% |
| Cigna | $82 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $82 | 92% |
| Tricare | $82 | 92% |
| Midland Care Connection | $82 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $84 | 94% |
| Well Path | $115 | 129% |
| Corizon | $115 | 129% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $115 | 129% |
| Centurion | $123 | 138% |
| Naphcare | $127 | 143% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, Saint John Hospital in Leavenworth, KS, lists a gross charge of $950.00. While the facility's cash median price is $81.00, commercial insurance negotiated rates vary significantly, ranging from $29.00 with Comp Alliance Workers Comp to $151.00 with Blue Cross Blue Shield. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures; therefore, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price of $81.00 directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in higher out-of-pocket costs if the deductible has not yet been met.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against federal standards, with a Medicare amount of $88.91. The hospital's cash price of $81.00 is slightly lower than the Medicare benchmark, whereas the median negotiated rate across payers is $82.00, which is comparable to the Medicare amount. Patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, it is crucial to verify the specific status of each service line before scheduling. To minimize costs, consumers are encouraged to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill by bypassing standard insurance processing fees.