X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $554
- Cash Discount Price: $155
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.23x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 623% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 523%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $350 | 394% |
| Providrs Care | $757 | 851% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, KS, lists a cash median price of $155.00. This cash rate is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rates, which range from $350 to $757 depending on the payer, such as UnitedHealthcare and Providrs Care. While commercial insurance contracts often set higher ceilings to cover administrative processing and network tiering, patients with high-deductible plans may find this cash price more advantageous if the insurance allowed amount exceeds $155.00. It is important to note that the facility's negotiated rates are significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, reflecting the typical markup found in commercial billing structures.
When evaluating costs against regional standards, the cash median of $155.00 provides a clear baseline for comparison, though specific county or state average data was not included in the provided pricing information. Patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services are not covered under the same contract. To minimize costs, consumers are encouraged to request a prompt-pay discount or self-pay classification before scheduling, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing insurance claims processing. Additionally, always verify your deductible status and request an itemized bill to ensure no errors or unbundled codes are included before finalizing payment.