X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Kansas Medical Center Llc
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $80
- Cash Discount Price: $128
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $49 | 55% |
| Wppa | $59 - $124 | 66% |
| Aetna | $67 - $140 | 75% |
| Indian Health | $72 | 81% |
| Tricare | $72 | 81% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $80 - $144 | 90% |
| Humana | $80 | 90% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $80 | 90% |
| Medadv_Wellcare | $80 | 90% |
| United | $84 | 94% |
| Three_Rivers | $160 | 180% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, Kansas Medical Center Llc in Andover, KS, lists a cash price of $128.00. This cash rate is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rates with major payers such as Wppa ($59–$124), Aetna ($67–$140), and Blue Cross Blue Shield ($80–$144). While the facility's cash price is higher than the state average for this service, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying out-of-pocket at $128.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in a negotiated allowed amount exceeding the cash price. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can further reduce the final cost.
The facility's Medicare benchmarking data shows a standard amount of $88.91, which serves as a reliable baseline for evaluating pricing fairness. The cash price of $128.00 represents a markup of approximately 43% over the Medicare rate, while the median negotiated rate across payers is $80.00, indicating that commercial contracts often result in lower net costs for insured members compared to cash pay. However, patients should be aware of balance billing risks if they receive care from out-of-network providers or ancillary services, even at an in-network facility, where the provider might bill the difference between the chargemaster and the insurance allowed amount. To avoid unexpected charges, consumers should request an itemized bill to verify that