X-ray, hip

For the X-ray, hip procedure (CPT 73502) at University Of Kansas Hospital, the facility's cash price of $113.00 is significantly lower than the median negotiated rate of $413.00 paid by insurers. While the facility's negotiated rates range from $45 to $878 across 58 payers, the cash price remains the most transparent baseline for consumers. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price upfront can sometimes be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash amount due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Additionally, patients should verify if the hospital offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill by bypassing costly claims processing fees.

When evaluating the cost of this service, it is essential to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's full chargemaster list. The Medicare allowed amount for this procedure is $88.91, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. The facility's cash price of $113.00 is approximately 1.5 times the Medicare rate, reflecting a markup that is consistent with fair pricing standards. Commercial negotiated rates, which average 200% to 300% of Medicare, often result in higher out-of-pocket costs for patients who do not meet their deductibles. Consumers are advised to request an itemized bill to ensure no errors exist and to confirm that any charges align with these established benchmarks before finalizing payment.