X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Lmh
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $89
- Cash Discount Price: $108
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.00x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $49 - $280 | 55% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $49 - $287 | 55% |
| Haskell Indian Health Services | $88 | 99% |
| Cigna | $88 - $289 | 99% |
| Medicare (plans) | $88 | 99% |
| Humana | $88 | 99% |
| Allwell | $89 | 100% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $136 | 153% |
| Aetna | $276 - $359 | 310% |
| Non Contracted | $346 | 389% |
| First Health | $402 | 452% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this chest X-ray procedure, the facility's cash price of $108.00 is significantly lower than the negotiated rates charged to commercial insurance plans, which range from $49 to $402 depending on the carrier. While the facility is in-network for major payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare, the contractual ceilings for these plans often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash rate directly. It is important to note that the facility's cash price is also lower than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, suggesting that the commercial negotiated rates for some insurers may be inflated by administrative overhead and contract dynamics rather than reflecting the true cost of care.
To minimize out-of-pocket costs, patients should verify if the facility offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%. Additionally, since the facility is a government-owned acute care hospital in Lawrence, KS, and the data reflects a 2026 vintage, patients should request an itemized billing audit to ensure no errors or unbundled charges are included in the final statement. While the facility's pricing structure varies by payer, understanding that commercial rates often include multi-layered administrative costs helps patients make informed decisions about whether to use insurance or pay cash.