X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $82
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.92x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $70 | 79% |
| Via Christi Research | $81 | 91% |
| Vc Hope | $81 | 91% |
| Humana | $81 | 91% |
| Medicare (plans) | $81 - $83 | 91% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $81 | 91% |
| Va | $81 | 91% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $83 - $228 | 93% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $83 | 93% |
| Corizon | $102 | 115% |
| Smarthealth | $114 | 128% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $138 | 155% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray (two views), the facility Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc. has a median negotiated rate of $82.00. This rate is consistent across most major payers, including Aetna, Via Christi Research, and Humana, which all report a single value of $81.00. However, UnitedHealthcare shows a wider range, with negotiated rates between $83.00 and $228.00 across four plans, while Medicare plans average between $81.00 and $83.00. The facility's median negotiated rate of $82.00 is slightly lower than the state average for Kansas, which is $88.91, and aligns closely with the national benchmark of 90% of the Medicare amount.
Patients should be aware that while insurance often covers the cost, cash-pay options can sometimes result in lower out-of-pocket expenses, particularly for those with high-deductible plans. The data indicates no specific cash or median paid values were reported for this service, so it is essential to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling. These discounts, which can range from 20% to 50%, are incentives for upfront payment that bypass insurance billing cycles and administrative fees. Additionally, if you have out-of-network services or ancillary bills, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which prohibits balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Always request an itemized bill to verify all charges and ensure no errors or unbundled codes are included before