X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Kansas Heart Hospital
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $135
- Cash Discount Price: $94
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.52x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wppa - All Plans | $60 | 67% |
| Tricare | $72 | 81% |
| Celtic Mcr Adv | $80 | 90% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $80 - $150 | 90% |
| Humana | $80 | 90% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $80 - $150 | 90% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $93 - $150 | 105% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $135 | 152% |
| Aetna | $146 - $150 | 164% |
| Soonerselect Mcaid - All Plans | $150 | 169% |
| Celtic Mcaid - All Other Plans | $150 | 169% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, the cash price is $94.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rates of $135.00 and the gross charge of $150.00. While the facility's cash rate is slightly below the state average of $97.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates paid by insurers often exceed the cash amount. It is important to note that while the facility offers a cash rate, patients should verify if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront payments can further reduce the final cost by bypassing administrative billing cycles.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $88.91, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating pricing markups. The facility's cash rate of $94.00 is approximately 1.5 times the Medicare amount, aligning closely with the fair pricing range of 120% to 150% of Medicare, whereas commercial negotiated rates can average 200% to 300% of this baseline. Patients should be aware that commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price, and assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest possible rate is a common pitfall. To ensure transparency and avoid unexpected costs, consumers are encouraged to request an itemized bill that details specific CPT codes and unit costs, rather than accepting broad summary categories that may obscure individual price gouging or unbundled charges.