X-ray, neck (cervical spine)
Facility: Rawlins County Health Center
Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72040
- Insurance Median: $348
- Cash Discount Price: $340
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.91x 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 391% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 291%). 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 | $160 | 180% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $348 | 391% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this X-ray of the cervical spine at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas, the cash price is $340, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $348 and the Medicare benchmark of $88.91. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics. In cases where a patient has a high deductible or limited insurance coverage, paying the cash price directly can result in immediate savings compared to the negotiated rate that insurers would otherwise pay.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is recommended to request a prompt-pay discount or self-pay rate before scheduling your visit, as these upfront payments can bypass costly insurance billing cycles. If you do receive a bill after using insurance, you should request a full itemized audit to verify that no services were unbundled or that charges for items not rendered were included. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for emergency care at in-network facilities, it is important to confirm your plan's specific network status and deductible requirements prior to receiving care to avoid unexpected costs.