X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Grisell Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $179
- Cash Discount Price: $195
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.01x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 201% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 101%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $116 | 130% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $153 - $205 | 172% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $205 | 231% |
| Humana | $205 | 231% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray at Grisell Memorial Hospital in Ransom, Kansas, the facility's cash median rate of $195.00 is notably lower than the negotiated rates charged to insurance payers, which range from $116 to $205 depending on the plan. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government district, patients should be aware that commercial insurance contracts often result in higher out-of-pocket costs than self-pay options. Specifically, the cash price of $195.00 is slightly higher than the facility's own cash median of $195.00 but remains below the maximum negotiated rate of $205.00 seen with Humana and Medicaid/KanCare. This dynamic suggests that for individuals with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly could be more financially advantageous than relying on insurance, as the insurer's allowed amount may exceed the cash rate.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is recommended 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, since the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, you should dispute any surprise bills immediately rather than paying them out of fear of credit damage. Finally, do not assume that being in-network guarantees the lowest price; always verify your specific plan's negotiated rate against the facility's cash rate and ask about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in