X-ray, neck (cervical spine)
Facility: Mcpherson Hospital
Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72040
- Insurance Median: $80
- Cash Discount Price: $63
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.90x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $8 - $444 | 9% |
| Tricare | $9 - $70 | 10% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $10 - $80 | 11% |
| Humana | $10 - $80 | 11% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $10 - $92 | 11% |
| Wellcare Mcr Adv - All Plans | $10 - $80 | 11% |
| Aetna | $10 - $444 | 11% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv | $10 - $80 | 11% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $10 - $80 | 11% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $12 - $400 | 13% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $31 - $444 | 35% |
| Health Blue Mcaid - All Other Plans | $32 - $453 | 36% |
| Central Plains - All Plans | $52 - $333 | 58% |
| Medical Associates - All Plans | $52 - $333 | 58% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $60 - $311 | 67% |
| Cigna | $66 - $422 | 74% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $66 - $422 | 74% |
| Christian Health Aid - All Plans | $68 - $355 | 76% |
| First Health - All Plans | $81 - $422 | 91% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray of the neck (cervical spine) at McPherson Hospital in Mcpherson, Kansas, the facility's cash median rate is $63.00, which is lower than the state average of $68.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with insurance payers range from $8 to $444, these amounts are often higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash median of $63.00 directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates frequently exceed the cash price. To secure the lowest possible rate, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can bypass the higher administrative costs associated with insurance billing cycles.
The facility's Medicare benchmark rate of $88.91 serves as a key reference point, indicating that the cash price of $63.00 is below the federal baseline for this service. Although the facility's overall rating is 2, the pricing data shows significant variation across payers, with some plans negotiating rates as high as $444.00. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still verify their specific plan details and avoid signing away rights to dispute out-of-network charges. If a patient receives an itemized bill that appears inflated, they should request a formal audit to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected through written dispute.