X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Lmh
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $88
- Cash Discount Price: $147
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.99x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna | $33 - $392 | 37% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $33 - $390 | 37% |
| Medicare (plans) | $33 - $88 | 37% |
| Humana | $33 - $88 | 37% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $38 - $380 | 43% |
| Haskell Indian Health Services | $38 - $88 | 43% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $39 - $136 | 44% |
| Allwell | $39 - $89 | 44% |
| Aetna | $374 - $488 | 421% |
| Non Contracted | $470 | 529% |
| First Health | $546 | 614% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, the facility in Lawrence, KS, lists a gross charge of $588.00. While the facility's cash median rate is $147.00, which is significantly lower than the gross charge, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. For instance, Aetna's negotiated range is $374.00 to $488.00, and First Health's rate is $546.00, both higher than the cash price. This dynamic suggests that individuals with high-deductible plans might save money by paying the cash rate directly, provided they can secure a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount from the hospital before services are rendered.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against the Medicare rate of $88.91, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. The cash median of $147.00 represents a markup of approximately 1.6 times the Medicare rate, while the highest negotiated rates observed, such as those from First Health, exceed the Medicare amount by more than six times. Given that over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, patients are strongly advised to request a detailed, itemized billing audit rather than accepting summary invoices, which can obscure unbundled charges or services not rendered. Additionally, if a patient encounters an out-of-network balance bill, they should verify the legality of the charge under the No Surprises Act before paying immediately, as federal protections may apply to emergency care or non-emergency services at