X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Hamilton County Hospital
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $106
- Cash Discount Price: $109
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.19x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $58 - $124 | 65% |
| First Health Coventry - All Plans | $92 | 103% |
| Cigna | $103 | 116% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $103 | 116% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $109 | 123% |
| Aetna | $185 | 208% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray, Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, KS, lists a cash price of $109.00, which matches the facility's negotiated median rate. This cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, indicating a markup of 123% above the federal baseline. While commercial insurance contracts typically average between 200% and 300% of Medicare rates, this facility's negotiated rate of $106.00 remains relatively close to the Medicare benchmark, suggesting a more transparent pricing structure than the national average for commercial payers.
Patients should be aware that while insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna have negotiated rates ranging from $58 to $185, the cash price of $109.00 may actually be the most cost-effective option for individuals with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum. Since the cash price is lower than the median negotiated rate of $103.00 paid by some insurers, paying out-of-pocket upfront could result in immediate savings. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if self-pay or prompt-pay discounts are available, as these programs can further reduce the final amount owed by bypassing administrative claim processing fees.