X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- 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% |
| Providrs Care Network | $80 | 90% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $80 - $113 | 90% |
| Aetna | $80 - $100 | 90% |
| United Mine Workers Of America | $80 | 90% |
| Lantern Specialty Care | $128 | 144% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, the Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc in Wichita, KS, lists a gross charge of $368.00. While the facility's cash median price is $239.00, commercial insurance negotiated rates vary significantly by payer, ranging from $78.00 with Humana to $128.00 with Lantern Specialty Care. It is important to note that these negotiated rates often exceed the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures; therefore, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash median of $239.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in higher out-of-pocket costs if the deductible is not yet met.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is advisable to request a full itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, you should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront, bypassing the costly claims processing cycle. When evaluating the facility's pricing, compare the negotiated rates against the Medicare benchmark of $88.91; commercial rates are often marked up significantly above this federal baseline, so focusing on the Medicare amount rather than the inflated chargemaster list provides a more accurate view of the facility's true cost.