X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Nemaha Valley Community Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $148
- Cash Discount Price: $250
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.66x 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.
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 | $122 | 137% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $122 | 137% |
| Aetna | $124 - $236 | 139% |
| Celtic Comm Exch - All Plans | $135 | 152% |
| Partners Direct Health - All Plans | $145 | 163% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $151 | 170% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $250 | 281% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $264 | 297% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $264 | 297% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray, chest (two views) procedure at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, KS, the cash price of $250.00 is notably higher than the facility's negotiated rate of $145.00 and the Medicare benchmark of $88.91. While commercial payers like Aetna and Multiplan have negotiated rates ranging from $124 to $264, the cash price remains competitive for patients with high-deductible plans who may not meet their out-of-pocket thresholds. It is important to note that commercial rates often include administrative overhead and contract premiums, meaning the cash price can sometimes be lower than the final amount an insurer pays after adjustments. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying out-of-pocket might result in a lower total cost if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, we recommend requesting a formal itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing costly insurance claims processing. Since this facility is a Critical Access Hospital in a rural area, the cash rate of $250.00 should be compared against local county averages to confirm it aligns with fair market value, but always prioritize obtaining a detailed line-item statement to identify any potential overcharges or duplicate charges.