X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Hamilton County Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $152
- Cash Discount Price: $162
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.71x 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 $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 | $71 - $151 | 80% |
| First Health Coventry - All Plans | $138 | 155% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $154 | 173% |
| Cigna | $154 | 173% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $162 | 182% |
| Aetna | $275 | 309% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, KS, lists a cash price of $162.00. This cash rate is identical to the facility's median negotiated rate of $154.00 and the median allowed amount across all six payers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, First Health Coventry, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna, and Aetna. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the cash price aligns closely with the median negotiated rates observed for this procedure. Patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price advantageous if their insurance negotiated rates exceed this amount, though in this specific case, the cash price matches the standard allowed amounts.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $88.91, which serves as a baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing structure. The cash price of $162.00 represents a 1.7x multiplier relative to the Medicare rate, indicating the standard markup for commercial billing. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, patients should still verify their specific plan details before scheduling. Additionally, patients should inquire directly with the hospital about potential "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, as these upfront payment incentives can sometimes reduce the final cost, though the current data shows the cash price is already competitive with the facility's negotiated rates.