X-ray, foot

For the X-ray of the foot (CPT 73630) at the University of KS Health System Great Bend Campus, the cash price is $98.00, which is significantly lower than the median negotiated rate of $197.00 paid by most insurance plans. While the facility's cash rate is well below the state average for this procedure, patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying cash upfront is the most cost-effective option, as many commercial payers negotiate rates that exceed the cash price. To secure the lowest possible cost, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed before insurance billing cycles begin.

It is important to understand that commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead and do not represent the true cost of care, which is better reflected by the Medicare benchmark of $88.91. Although the facility is a government-owned acute care hospital, the negotiated rates for out-of-network or non-preferred plans can vary widely, with some payers ranging from $81 to $590. If you receive a bill that appears higher than expected, you should request a detailed, itemized audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies. Furthermore, under the No Surprises Act, you are protected from balance billing for emergency care or non-emergency services at in-network facilities, so any unexpected charges should be disputed immediately with the insurer rather than paid in full.