X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Wichita County Health Center
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $366
- Cash Discount Price: $321
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.12x 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 412% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 312%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $331 | 372% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $401 | 451% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray, chest (two views) procedure at Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas, the facility's cash median price is $321.00, which is lower than the state average of $366.00 and the negotiated rate of $401.00. While Medicaid / KanCare members pay a fixed $331.00 and UnitedHealthcare members pay $401.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the $321.00 cash price more cost-effective if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds this amount. Because the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, it is important to verify if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can further reduce the final cost.
To ensure you are not overcharged, always request an itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount, remember that the No Surprises Act prohibits this for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. You can dispute any unexpected balance bills in writing with your insurer to request a review, and you should never sign away your rights to dispute out-of-network costs without fully understanding the terms.