X-ray, chest (single view)

For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray, the University of Kansas Hospital lists a gross charge of $477.00, which is significantly higher than the facility's cash median of $95.00. While the hospital's negotiated rates range from $68 to $755 depending on the payer, these amounts often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may save money by paying the cash rate directly. The facility is located in Kansas City, KS, and its pricing data reflects a government-owned hospital district. Consumers should explicitly ask for self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as paying upfront can bypass the administrative costs and higher negotiated rates that insurance carriers pay.

When comparing this service to federal benchmarks, the Medicare amount for this procedure is $88.91. The facility's cash median of $95.00 is only slightly above the Medicare rate, suggesting a pricing structure that is relatively fair compared to the commercial negotiated rates which can reach up to $755. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for emergency services at in-network facilities, unexpected ancillary services or out-of-network providers could still result in additional charges. To ensure accuracy and avoid errors, patients should request a full itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes such as double-billing or unbundled codes that can be corrected through a formal audit.