X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Kansas Heart Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- 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% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $80 - $150 | 90% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $80 - $150 | 90% |
| Humana | $80 | 90% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $113 - $150 | 127% |
| 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 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, KS, lists a gross charge of $150.00. While the facility's cash median rate is $94.00, commercial insurance negotiated rates vary significantly, ranging from $60.00 for WPPA and Tricare up to $150.00 for Soonerselect Medicaid and Celtic Medicaid. It is important to note that cash payments can sometimes be more cost-effective for patients with high-deductible plans if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount and inquire directly with the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final balance by offering immediate liquidity incentives.
When evaluating the cost, it is crucial to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's inflated gross charges. The Medicare amount for this service is $88.91, and the facility's cash rate of $94.00 is only slightly above this federal baseline, whereas some commercial negotiated rates reach 150% of the Medicare amount. If a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider or encounters unexpected ancillary services, they may face balance billing for the difference between the provider's full charge and the insurance allowed amount. To avoid these surprises, patients should request a full itemized billing audit before paying, ensuring that no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the final invoice.