X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: University Of Kansas Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $178
- Cash Discount Price: $154
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.00x 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 200% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 100%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Larned State Hospital [503200090] | $68 - $386 | 76% |
| Hchsync Centrus Health Direct [503999916] | $70 - $458 | 79% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $81 - $130 | 91% |
| Lasso Healthcare [503999926] | $81 | 91% |
| Medicare (plans) | $81 - $83 | 91% |
| Aetna | $81 - $114 | 91% |
| Triwest [503201703] | $81 | 91% |
| Tricare | $81 | 91% |
| Humana | $81 - $83 | 91% |
| Ku Athletics [503200094] | $81 | 91% |
| Devoted [503200068] | $81 | 91% |
| Workers Comp [503999901] | $81 - $1,244 | 91% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $84 - $1,005 | 94% |
| Allwell [503200078] | $84 | 94% |
| American Health Plans [503200968] | $85 | 96% |
| Oscar [503201609] | $98 | 110% |
| Centurion [5032000966] | $106 | 119% |
| Health Plan Inc [503999941] | $109 - $616 | 123% |
| Alt Carelon Behavioral Health [503200905] | $116 - $655 | 130% |
| Accarent Health [503999034] | $116 - $655 | 130% |
| Centivo [5032000982] | $134 | 151% |
| Wellfit [503301514] | $134 | 151% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $138 | 155% |
| Allied National [503999937] | $139 - $786 | 156% |
| Php [503200005] | $139 - $968 | 156% |
| Cerner [503200038] | $141 - $794 | 159% |
| Healthlink [503200007] | $141 - $968 | 159% |
| Med-Pay [503200040] | $141 - $794 | 159% |
| Alt Wppa [5032000964] | $141 - $794 | 159% |
| Inter-Americas Insurance [503999032] | $141 - $794 | 159% |
| Geha [503200036] | $141 - $794 | 159% |
| 6 Degrees Health [503999050] | $142 - $203 | 160% |
| First Health [5032000110] | $153 - $863 | 172% |
| Aha-Healthcare Preferred [503200050] | $153 - $863 | 172% |
| Coeur Plan Services [503301517] | $162 - $917 | 182% |
| Consolidated Billing [50311256] | $162 - $917 | 182% |
| Correct Care Solutions [50311253] | $162 - $917 | 182% |
| Ascension Living Hope [503201517] | $162 - $917 | 182% |
| Occunet [503999930] | $171 | 192% |
| Fort Hays State Student Athletes [5032000960] | $171 | 192% |
| Orscheln Industries [503201608] | $174 - $982 | 196% |
| Alt Lucent Health Solutions [503202603] | $178 - $1,005 | 200% |
| Alt Lineco [5032000976] | $178 - $1,005 | 200% |
| Empire Plan/Nyship [503200705] | $178 - $1,005 | 200% |
| Quiktrip [5032000412] | $186 - $1,048 | 209% |
| Cigna | $186 - $1,048 | 209% |
| Century Health Solutions [503200054] | $186 - $1,048 | 209% |
| Point Comfort Underwriters [503200018] | $186 - $1,048 | 209% |
| Wppa [503200056] | $195 - $1,100 | 219% |
| Meritain Health [503200039] | $195 - $1,100 | 219% |
| Sanford Health Plan [503999027] | $209 - $1,179 | 235% |
| Plan Care America [503999026] | $209 - $1,179 | 235% |
| Employers Health Network [503999025] | $209 - $1,179 | 235% |
| Three Rivers Provider Network [503999029] | $209 - $1,179 | 235% |
| Usa Managed Care [503999030] | $209 - $1,179 | 235% |
| Multiplan [503200057] | $219 | 246% |
| Claimdoc [503301509] | $219 | 246% |
| Advanced Medical Pricing Solutions [503301513] | $244 | 274% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City, KS, has a gross charge of $771.00. While the facility's cash median rate is $154.00, which is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by most insurers, patients should be aware that commercial payers often negotiate rates exceeding the cash price. For instance, Workers Compensation plans have a high-end negotiated rate of $1,244.00, and Blue Cross Blue Shield ranges up to $1,005.00. In scenarios where a patient has a high-deductible plan that has not yet been met, paying the cash price of $154.00 upfront may result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to the insurance allowed amount, which can reach as high as $1,179.00 for certain employers.
The facility's negotiated rate median of $178.00 is notably higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, reflecting the typical markup found in commercial contracts. However, the cash price of $154.00 remains the most transparent baseline for self-pay patients. To ensure the lowest possible cost, individuals should explicitly request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the bill. Additionally, patients should avoid accepting summary bills and instead demand a full itemized audit to verify that no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, ensuring they are only paying for the actual procedure performed.