X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Providence Medical Center
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $82
- Cash Discount Price: $81
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Comp Alliance - Fka Compresults Worker Compensation | $29 | 33% |
| Oha Networks | $31 | 35% |
| Worker Compensation | $32 | 36% |
| Aetna | $43 - $82 | 48% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $49 | 55% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $74 - $115 | 83% |
| Celtic | $75 - $131 | 84% |
| Healthy Blue | $75 - $86 | 84% |
| Cigna | $82 | 92% |
| Tricare | $82 | 92% |
| Midland Care Connection | $82 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $82 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $86 | 97% |
| Corizon | $107 | 120% |
| Well Path Prison | $115 | 129% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $115 | 129% |
| Centurion | $123 | 138% |
| Naphcare | $127 | 143% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $131 - $212 | 147% |
| First Health | $750 | 844% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, the gross charge at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City is $950. While the facility's cash median rate of $81 is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by most insurers, patients should be aware that commercial insurance contracts often result in higher out-of-pocket costs due to administrative fees and network tiering. The data indicates that the median negotiated rate across payers is $82, which is slightly higher than the cash price, suggesting that self-pay patients might save money by paying directly, provided they qualify for the cash rate. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for emergency services at in-network facilities, non-emergency procedures like this X-ray may still be subject to contractual terms, making it essential to confirm the specific billing status before scheduling.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, we recommend requesting an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, since the facility is a voluntary non-profit church-owned hospital, you may be eligible for prompt-pay discounts if you settle the bill in full upfront, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50%. When comparing rates, it is crucial to look beyond the hospital's gross charges and instead use the Medicare amount of $88.91 as a benchmark for fair pricing; commercial rates are often inflated relative to this baseline. Finally, always verify your deductible status and ask the billing department specifically about self-pay or prompt-pay options prior to check-in to avoid unexpected charges.