X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Nmc Health
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $84
- Cash Discount Price: $119
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.94x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Bluestem Pace | $30 - $84 | 34% |
| Wppa | $39 - $148 | 44% |
| Occunet | $42 - $161 | 47% |
| Medincrease Health Plan | $46 - $175 | 52% |
| Samaritan Ministries International | $46 - $175 | 52% |
| Leading Age | $47 - $134 | 53% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $47 - $134 | 53% |
| Prime Health Services | $53 - $202 | 60% |
| Aetna | $58 - $222 | 65% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $63 - $242 | 71% |
| Cigna | $67 - $256 | 75% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $151 | 170% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, Nmc Health in Newton, Kansas, lists a cash median price of $119.00, which is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rates. While the facility's negotiated rate averages $84.00, commercial payers such as Aetna and UnitedHealthcare have allowed amounts ranging from $58 to $242, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance reimbursement. It is important to note that the facility's cash rate is significantly lower than the gross chargemaster price of $269.00, and patients should explicitly request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling to ensure they receive the lowest possible out-of-pocket rate.
When evaluating the cost of this procedure, it is essential to compare the facility's pricing against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's inflated list price. The Medicare amount for this service is $88.91, and the facility's cash rate of $119.00 represents a markup of approximately 1.33 times the Medicare rate, which falls within the range of fair pricing typically defined as 120% to 150% of Medicare. Additionally, the facility's negotiated rate of $84.00 is slightly below the Medicare amount, suggesting a competitive contract structure. For patients concerned about billing accuracy, receiving an itemized bill is critical to identifying any unbundled charges or services not rendered, as summary bills often obscure the true cost of care.