X-ray, pelvis
Facility: Grisell Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 72170 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72170
- Insurance Median: $194
- Cash Discount Price: $211
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.82x 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 $106.81 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $119 | 111% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $165 - $222 | 154% |
| Humana | $222 | 208% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $222 | 208% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray of the pelvis at Grisell Memorial Hospital in Ransom, Kansas, the facility's cash median price is $211.00, which is lower than the negotiated rates paid by major insurers like UnitedHealthcare ($165–$222) and Humana ($222). While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government hospital district, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash amount. To secure the lowest possible cost, we recommend asking the billing department specifically about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront.
It is important to understand that the facility's gross charge of $222.00 represents the maximum list price, but commercial insurers typically pay a negotiated rate that caps the amount billed to members. In this case, the median negotiated rate is $194.00, which is still higher than the cash price, illustrating that being in-network does not always guarantee the lowest price. Additionally, the Medicare amount of $106.81 serves as a benchmark for the true cost of care; commercial rates are often significantly higher than this federal baseline due to administrative overhead and contract structures. If you receive a bill that exceeds these negotiated or cash rates, you should request a detailed, itemized statement to verify that no errors, such as unbundled codes or services not rendered, have inflated the total.