X-ray, lower back
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 72110 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72110
- Insurance Median: $396
- Cash Discount Price: $313
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.71x 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 371% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 271%). 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 | $354 | 331% |
| Aetna | $375 | 351% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $375 | 351% |
| First Health - All Plans | $396 | 371% |
| Cigna | $396 | 371% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $396 | 371% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $396 | 371% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this X-ray of the lower back at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, Kansas, the cash price of $313 is notably lower than the facility's gross charge of $417, representing a significant discount for self-pay patients. While the data does not include specific state or county average figures for this procedure, the facility's cash rate remains a key benchmark for patients with high-deductible plans who may find it more affordable than their insurance negotiated rate of $396. Medicare, which serves as a reliable cost baseline, covers $106.81 for this service, highlighting that the commercial negotiated rate exceeds the federal benchmark by a factor of 3.7.
Patients should be aware that while the facility is a government-owned Critical Access Hospital, the presence of multiple payers—including Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare—means that insurance coverage can result in higher out-of-pocket costs due to administrative structures and contract dynamics. To minimize expenses, individuals are encouraged to verify if they qualify for prompt-pay or self-pay discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payments can bypass costly claims processing and reduce the final bill. Furthermore, if a balance bill arises from unexpected out-of-network services, patients should dispute the amount in writing rather than accepting summary bills, ensuring they are protected under federal regulations like the No Surprises Act.