X-ray, ankle
Facility: Rawlins County Health Center
Billing Code: 73610 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73610
- Insurance Median: $305
- Cash Discount Price: $298
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.43x 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 343% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 243%). 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 | $139 | 156% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $304 | 342% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this X-ray of the ankle at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas, the cash price is $298.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $350.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, the data does not provide a specific county or state average for comparison. However, for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly can be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for UnitedHealthcare ($304) and Blue Cross Blue Shield ($139) may result in higher out-of-pocket costs depending on your plan's deductible status. It is important to verify your specific deductible balance before scheduling, as paying the cash rate upfront can bypass administrative fees and potential surprise billing scenarios.
Patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates often include administrative costs for claims processing and utilization reviews, which can inflate the baseline price. In this case, the median negotiated rate is $305.00, which is slightly higher than the cash price, illustrating that insurance coverage does not always guarantee the lowest total cost. If you receive a bill after using insurance, you should request a full itemized CPT-coded statement to review every charge for errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. Additionally, you may be eligible for a prompt-pay discount if you choose to settle the balance in full within 30 days, which can reduce the total amount owed by offering immediate liquidity to the facility.