X-ray, neck (cervical spine)
Facility: Kearny County Hospital
Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72040
- Insurance Median: $248
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.79x 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 279% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 179%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Meritain Health | $248 | 279% |
| Aetna | $248 | 279% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $248 | 279% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $248 | 279% |
| Community Care Health Plan Of | $248 | 279% |
| Wps Gha - Mac J5 Part A | $248 | 279% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray of the cervical spine at Kearny County Hospital in Lakin, KS, the insurance negotiated rate is $248, which matches the facility's gross charge and exceeds the Medicare benchmark of $88.91. This indicates a significant markup compared to the federal baseline, as commercial rates often include administrative overhead and contract premiums that are absent in government payments. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the negotiated rate remains higher than the Medicare amount, reflecting the standard pricing dynamics where in-network contracts set a ceiling that is frequently well above the true cost of service delivery.
Patients should be aware that while the negotiated rate is $248, the actual amount paid by insurance is $75, suggesting substantial cost-sharing or a lower allowed amount under specific plan terms. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price directly could potentially save money if the facility offers a prompt-pay discount, as these upfront payments bypass the administrative costs and claim processing fees embedded in the insurance rate. Before scheduling, it is advisable to contact the hospital to confirm self-pay or prompt-pay rates and to request an itemized bill to ensure no errors exist, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be resolved through a formal audit.