X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Lane County Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $222
- Cash Discount Price: $222
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.50x 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 250% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 150%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $200 - $211 | 225% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $200 - $222 | 225% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $222 | 250% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $222 | 250% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $222 - $244 | 250% |
| Wppa Providers-All Plans | $333 | 375% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, Lane County Hospital in Dighton, Kansas, lists a cash median price of $222.00, which matches the facility's negotiated median and the gross charge. This rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, reflecting a markup of 2.5 times the federal baseline. 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 of $222.00 more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for in-network payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare range from $200 to $244. It is important to note that commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can inflate the final bill compared to direct cash payment.
To avoid unexpected costs, consumers should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network contracts may exceed the cash price. If you are self-paying, ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if settled upfront. Additionally, if you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider at this facility, you may be entitled to protections under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for emergency and non-emergency services. Always request a full, itemized CPT-coded bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered that can be disputed to reduce your debt.