X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Ashland Health Center
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $172
- Cash Discount Price: $138
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.93x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $58 | 65% |
| Compalliance-All Plans | $138 | 155% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas-All Plans | $146 | 164% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $169 | 190% |
| Medicare (plans) | $172 | 193% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $172 | 193% |
| Health Choice-All Plans | $172 | 193% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $172 | 193% |
| Medica Mcare - All Plans | $172 | 193% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $172 | 193% |
| Aetna | $172 | 193% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $258 | 290% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray, the Ashland Health Center in Ashland, KS, lists a gross charge of $172.00. While the facility's cash median rate is $138.00, the negotiated rates for in-network payers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and Compalliance-All Plans are also $172.00. This indicates that for patients with active insurance, the negotiated rate matches the gross charge, meaning no discount is applied through the standard insurance process. However, patients with high-deductible plans or those without coverage may find the cash price of $138.00 more favorable than the insurance negotiated rate, as paying out-of-pocket can sometimes result in lower out-of-pocket costs if the insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price.
To maximize potential savings, patients should inquire about "prompt-pay" discounts, which are fee reductions offered when bills are paid in full upfront, typically ranging from 20% to 50% off the total. Since the facility is a Critical Access Hospital, these discounts may be available to bypass administrative costs associated with insurance claims. Additionally, because the facility is a voluntary non-profit, patients should request an itemized bill to verify all charges and ensure no errors exist before payment. It is important to note that while the data provided does not include specific county or state average comparisons for this specific code, the Medicare benchmark for this service is $88.91, which serves as a baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup against federal standards.