X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Southwest Medical Center
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $529
- Cash Discount Price: $487
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.95x 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 595% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 495%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wppa | $263 - $614 | 296% |
| Health_Choice | $263 - $614 | 296% |
| Aetna | $300 - $701 | 337% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Primary_Network | $319 - $745 | 359% |
| United_Healthcare_Commercial | $327 - $763 | 368% |
| Omni_Network | $338 - $789 | 380% |
| National_Beef_Packing | $338 - $789 | 380% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Auto | $338 - $789 | 380% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Complementary_Network | $349 - $815 | 393% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a single-view chest X-ray at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, Kansas, the facility's cash median price is $487.00, which is 5.9% higher than the state average. While the facility's negotiated rates for in-network payers range from $263 to $815, these amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash rate of $487.00 directly, as this can be lower than the negotiated amounts charged by major insurers like United Healthcare Commercial or Omni Network. To secure the best possible rate, consumers should explicitly request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling, as hospitals frequently offer fee reductions for upfront payment that bypass the higher administrative costs associated with insurance billing cycles.
It is important to distinguish between the facility's gross charge of $609.00 and the actual costs incurred, as commercial rates are often inflated compared to the Medicare benchmark of $88.91 for this procedure. The facility's negotiated average of $529.00 represents a significant markup over the Medicare rate, illustrating how commercial contracts can result in higher prices than the federal baseline. To ensure transparency and avoid unexpected costs, patients should request an itemized bill that breaks down specific CPT codes and unit costs, rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual charges. If discrepancies are found, such as unbundled services or charges for items not rendered, a formal written audit dispute should be sent to the billing supervisor to correct errors before payment is finalized.