X-ray, neck (cervical spine)
Facility: Saint Luke'S South Hospital
Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72040
- Insurance Median: $296
- Cash Discount Price: $638
- 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 | $30 - $1,010 | 34% |
| Humana | $30 - $49 | 34% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $37 - $798 | 42% |
| Transplants-Case Rates [5750] | $41 - $1,063 | 46% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $42 - $296 | 47% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $49 - $113 | 55% |
| Cigna | $88 - $807 | 99% |
| Commercial-Contracted [8000] | $251 - $860 | 282% |
| First Health [5512] | $630 | 709% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 72040, representing an X-ray of the cervical spine, Saint Luke's South Hospital in Overland Park, KS, has a cash median price of $638.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $1,063.00. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare range from $30 to $296, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective if their insurance allowed amount exceeds $638.00. It is important to note that the facility's cash rate is significantly higher than the national Medicare benchmark of $88.91, indicating a substantial markup typical of commercial billing structures.
To minimize out-of-pocket costs, patients should inquire about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the $638.00 cash median by 20% to 50% for upfront payment, bypassing the administrative overhead associated with insurance claims. Additionally, since the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, patients should verify that all ancillary services, such as lab work, are covered under the facility's network agreements before scheduling. For further transparency, the facility's rating is 4 out of 5, and the data reflects billing patterns for the 2026-06 vintage.