X-ray, pelvis
Facility: Providence Medical Center
Billing Code: 72170 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72170
- Insurance Median: $98
- Cash Discount Price: $98
- 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 $106.81 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 | $33 - $98 | 31% |
| Comp Alliance - Fka Compresults Worker Compensation | $34 | 32% |
| Oha Networks | $36 | 34% |
| Worker Compensation | $38 | 36% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $60 | 56% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $91 - $138 | 85% |
| Healthy Blue | $93 - $103 | 87% |
| Celtic | $93 - $158 | 87% |
| Cigna | $98 | 92% |
| Tricare | $98 | 92% |
| Medicare (plans) | $98 | 92% |
| Midland Care Connection | $98 | 92% |
| Kansas Superior Select | $103 | 96% |
| Corizon | $128 | 120% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $138 | 129% |
| Well Path Prison | $138 | 129% |
| Centurion | $148 | 139% |
| Naphcare | $153 | 143% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $158 - $255 | 148% |
| First Health | $750 | 702% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray, pelvis procedure (CPT 72170) at Providence Medical Center in Kansas City, KS, the cash price is $98.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rates with most commercial payers. While the facility's cash rate aligns with the median negotiated amount of $98.00, many insurance plans pay substantially more; for example, Blue Cross Blue Shield negotiated rates range from $158 to $255, and First Health charges a flat $750. This disparity highlights that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly can be far more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's negotiated ceiling often exceeds the cash rate. Additionally, the facility offers a prompt-pay discount for upfront billing, which can further reduce the final amount owed by bypassing administrative claim processing fees.
When evaluating the cost against state and national standards, it is important to note that the facility's cash rate of $98.00 is slightly below the state average of $106.81 (the Medicare amount) and represents a 90% of the Medicare benchmark. However, the facility's negotiated rates vary widely by payer, with UnitedHealthcare ranging from $91 to $138 and Celtic from $93 to $158, illustrating that in-network status does not guarantee the lowest possible price. To ensure you are receiving the best value, we recommend requesting a formal itemized billing audit to verify all charges and asking the billing department specifically about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling your appointment. Always confirm your deductible status, as paying the cash price may be necessary