X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $80
- Cash Discount Price: $239
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.90x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $78 | 88% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $80 - $97 | 90% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $80 - $93 | 90% |
| Providrs Care Network | $80 | 90% |
| United Mine Workers Of America | $80 | 90% |
| Aetna | $80 - $100 | 90% |
| Lantern Specialty Care | $128 | 144% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray, Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc in Wichita, KS, lists a gross charge of $368.00. The facility's cash median price is $239.00, which is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by major insurers like UnitedHealthcare ($80–$97) and Aetna ($80–$100). While the Medicare benchmark for this service is $88.91, the cash price of $239.00 exceeds the Medicare rate, suggesting that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying cash upfront may result in a higher out-of-pocket cost compared to the insurance negotiated rate, provided the patient's deductible has been met. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount and deductible status before scheduling to ensure they are not paying more than the insurer would cover.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively request a self-pay classification and inquire about prompt-pay discounts, which can offer a fee reduction of 20% to 50% for upfront payment. It is critical to ask for a waiver of insurance submission prior to check-in to prevent the facility from automatically submitting a claim that would void any cash discount agreement. Additionally, patients should demand a full itemized bill containing specific CPT codes rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled charges that can be disputed in writing. Given that the facility is an Acute Care Hospital in Wichita, KS, comparing these rates against state averages helps identify if the pricing is within a reasonable range for the