X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $82
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.92x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $70 | 79% |
| Humana | $81 | 91% |
| Va | $81 | 91% |
| Via Christi Research | $81 | 91% |
| Vc Hope | $81 | 91% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $81 | 91% |
| Medicare (plans) | $81 - $83 | 91% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $83 - $228 | 93% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $83 | 93% |
| Corizon | $102 | 115% |
| Smarthealth | $114 | 128% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $138 | 155% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, the negotiated rates at Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc. range from $70 to $228 depending on the payer. The facility's median negotiated rate of $82.00 is notably lower than the highest range observed for UnitedHealthcare ($83–$228), while aligning closely with most other commercial payers like Aetna, Humana, and Blue Cross Blue Shield at $81–$83. Medicare, which serves as the primary benchmark for fair pricing, has an allowed amount of $88.91, indicating that the facility's standard negotiated rates are generally competitive or slightly below the federal baseline. For patients with high-deductible plans, it is important to note that cash-pay options can sometimes be more cost-effective if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, though specific cash rates are not listed for this service.
Patients should be aware that while the facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital in Wichita, KS, with a facility rating of 4, the final amount owed depends heavily on individual plan deductibles and network status. If you are self-pay or have a high-deductible plan, you may qualify for prompt-pay discounts by paying in full upfront, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50%. Before scheduling, it is advisable to explicitly request self-pay pricing or a prompt-pay discount to avoid being billed the full negotiated rate. Additionally, if you receive a bill that includes unexpected charges from out-of-network providers, such as certain lab services or ancillary procedures, you may be protected under the No