X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $304
- Cash Discount Price: $240
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.42x 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 342% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 242%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers - All Plans | $272 | 306% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $288 | 324% |
| Aetna | $288 | 324% |
| First Health - All Plans | $304 | 342% |
| Cigna | $304 | 342% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $304 | 342% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $304 | 342% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, the facility's cash price of $240.00 is lower than the median negotiated rate of $304.00 paid by insurance carriers. This price transparency data indicates that patients with high-deductible plans may save money by paying cash directly, as the negotiated rates from payers like Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare exceed the cash price. However, patients should verify if the facility offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final cost.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $88.91, which serves as a baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing markup. While the gross charge listed is $320.00, the actual amount paid by insurance is $304.00, reflecting the negotiated contract rates rather than the full list price. It is important to note that balance billing is generally prohibited for in-network services under the No Surprises Act, meaning patients should not expect to be billed for the difference between the gross charge and the allowed amount. If a patient receives an unexpected bill, they should request a formal itemized audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered before agreeing to pay.