X-ray, ankle
Facility: Stafford County Hospital
Billing Code: 73610 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73610
- Insurance Median: $234
- Cash Discount Price: $239
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.63x 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 263% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 163%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Health Partners-All Plans | $222 - $231 | 250% |
| Medica Mcr- All Plans | $234 - $243 | 263% |
| Va Ccn-All Plans | $234 - $243 | 263% |
| Humana | $234 - $243 | 263% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $234 - $243 | 263% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the ankle X-ray procedure (CPT 73610) at Stafford County Hospital, the cash price is $239.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $234.00 and the state average. This service is provided by a Critical Access Hospital in Stafford, Kansas, and is not subject to balance billing under the No Surprises Act for emergency care or non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. While commercial payers like Health Partners and Medica have negotiated rates ranging from $234.00 to $243.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more favorable if their insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash rate. It is important to request self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing administrative claim processing costs.
When evaluating the cost of this service, it is essential to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's gross chargemaster. The Medicare reimbursement rate for this code is $88.91, meaning the cash price of $239.00 represents a significant markup over the federal baseline. Although the facility is government-owned locally, the pricing structure reflects standard commercial billing dynamics where administrative overhead and contract management inflate the baseline price. To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, always verify your deductible status before using insurance, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying cash directly.