X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Mercy Hospital Columbus
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $235
- Cash Discount Price: $210
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.64x 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 264% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 164%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $19 - $307 | 21% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $19 - $234 | 21% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $75 - $268 | 84% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $75 - $234 | 84% |
| Medicare (plans) | $82 - $244 | 92% |
| Insurance System Inc Contracted [320465] | $139 | 156% |
| Health Systems Inc Contracted [320174] | $139 | 156% |
| Administrative Payor Contracted [320005] | $145 | 163% |
| Qual Choice Contracted [320325] | $234 | 263% |
| Mercy Hospice Okc [20252] | $234 | 263% |
| Medical Associates Health Contracted [320444] | $234 | 263% |
| Novasys Contracted [320285] | $234 | 263% |
| Home State Health Plan Contracted [320187] | $234 | 263% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $234 | 263% |
| Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450] | $234 | 263% |
| Indian Health Service Contracted [320198] | $234 | 263% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432] | $234 | 263% |
| Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066] | $234 | 263% |
| Aetna | $234 - $291 | 263% |
| Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518] | $234 | 263% |
| Globalhealth Contracted [320145] | $234 | 263% |
| Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434] | $234 | 263% |
| Cigna | $234 | 263% |
| Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433] | $234 | 263% |
| Mercy Mgd Behavioral Health Contracted [320259] | $234 | 263% |
| Kindful Hospice [20434] | $234 | 263% |
| Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106] | $234 | 263% |
| Cross Timbers Hospice [20098] | $234 | 263% |
| Centurion Of Missouri [20459] | $234 | 263% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432] | $234 | 263% |
| Tricare | $235 | 264% |
| Healthscope Contracted [320182] | $249 | 280% |
| Workers Comp [20426] | $258 - $275 | 290% |
| United Medical Resources Contracted [320454] | $268 - $307 | 301% |
| Medica Contracted [320239] | $289 | 325% |
| American Healthcare Alliance Contracted [320020] | $291 | 327% |
| Federal Medical Center Contracted [320127] | $291 | 327% |
| Healthlink Contracted [320179] | $291 - $307 | 327% |
| Usa Managed Care Org Contracted [320429] | $291 | 327% |
| First Health Contracted [320128] | $291 | 327% |
| Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251] | $291 - $307 | 327% |
| Preferred Health Plan Contracted [320522] | $291 | 327% |
| Auxiant Contracted [320462] | $307 | 345% |
| Private Health Care Systems Contracted [320320] | $307 | 345% |
| Edison Health Solutions Contracted [320502] | $307 | 345% |
| Ebms Contracted [320493] | $307 | 345% |
| Benefit Management Contracted [320052] | $307 | 345% |
| Yuzu Health Contracted [320521] | $307 | 345% |
| 90 Degree Benefits Contracted [320436] | $307 | 345% |
| Ppo Plus Contracted [320310] | $307 | 345% |
| Imagine 360 Contracted [320494] | $307 | 345% |
| Reflect Health Contracted [320492] | $307 | 345% |
| Point C Contracted [320238] | $307 | 345% |
| Aither Health Contracted [320449] | $307 | 345% |
| Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483] | $307 | 345% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray, chest (two views) procedure at Mercy Hospital Columbus, the facility's cash price of $210.00 is lower than the state average of $258.00 and the county average of $235.00. While many commercial payers have negotiated rates ranging from $19 to $307, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more advantageous if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds $210.00. It is important to note that commercial rates often include administrative overhead and contract markups that can inflate the final cost compared to direct cash payment.
Patients should verify their specific plan's negotiated rate before scheduling, as in-network rates vary significantly across different insurance carriers. If you are self-pay, ask the billing department about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the $210.00 cash price further by paying upfront. Additionally, if you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or for unexpected ancillary services, you may be eligible for protections under the No Surprises Act, which prevents balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Always request a full itemized bill to ensure all charges are accurate and to identify any potential errors before making a payment.