X-ray, pelvis
Facility: Rawlins County Health Center
Billing Code: 72170 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72170
- Insurance Median: $274
- Cash Discount Price: $268
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.57x 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 $106.81 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 257% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 157%). 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 | $126 | 118% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $274 | 257% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray of the pelvis at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas, the cash price is $268, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $315. While the facility is in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare, the negotiated rates for these payers range from $126 to $274. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $268 upfront can sometimes be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate may exceed the cash price once deductibles are met. Additionally, patients should inquire about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full within a short window, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.
This service is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a fixed rate of $106.81 for this procedure. The cash price of $268 represents a markup of 2.6 times the Medicare amount, which is consistent with commercial pricing structures that include administrative overhead and provider costs. While specific county or state average data was not provided in the source material, patients are encouraged to verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling to ensure they understand their out-of-pocket obligations. To avoid unexpected costs, individuals should request an itemized bill before payment and confirm whether any "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these can significantly lower the final amount owed compared to standard billing cycles.