X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Saint Luke'S South Hospital
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $296
- Cash Discount Price: $419
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.33x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 333% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 233%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 | $18 - $663 | 20% |
| Humana | $18 - $30 | 20% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $24 - $524 | 27% |
| Transplants-Case Rates [5750] | $25 - $698 | 28% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $49 - $113 | 55% |
| Cigna | $53 - $530 | 60% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $58 - $296 | 65% |
| Commercial-Contracted [8000] | $251 - $565 | 282% |
| First Health [5512] | $414 | 466% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray, Saint Luke's South Hospital in Overland Park, KS, has a cash median price of $419.00, which is notably higher than the facility's negotiated rate of $296.00 paid by most commercial payers. While the hospital's negotiated rate of $296.00 aligns with the median negotiated amount across the state, it is important to note that commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overheads that can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40% compared to direct cash payments. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $419.00 upfront might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's allowed amount could exceed the cash rate, potentially leading to higher out-of-pocket costs if the deductible has not yet been met.
To minimize unexpected costs, patients should verify their specific plan's negotiated rate before scheduling, as in-network status does not guarantee the lowest possible price, with some facilities charging significantly more than others. Additionally, patients should inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid in full upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing. If a balance bill arises from out-of-network ancillary services, the No Surprises Act generally protects patients from paying the difference between the provider's chargemaster and the insurance allowed amount for emergency or non-emergency care at in-network facilities, so patients should request an itemized audit to identify any errors or unbundled charges before making a payment.