X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Graham County Hospital
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $128
- Cash Discount Price: $165
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.44x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $40 - $157 | 45% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $40 | 45% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $122 | 137% |
| Medicare (plans) | $124 | 139% |
| Celtic Commercial-All Other Plans | $136 | 153% |
| Wppa (Providers Care)-All Plans | $157 | 177% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray, Graham County Hospital in Hill City, KS, lists a cash price of $165.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This cash price is notably higher than the state average for this service, where the median paid amount is $136.00. While patients with high-deductible plans might find the cash price attractive if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds $165.00, it is important to note that commercial payers in this region typically negotiate rates between $40.00 and $157.00, with most plans falling in the $122.00 to $136.00 range. Because insurance contracts often include administrative overheads that inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40%, the cash price can sometimes be lower than what an in-network member would ultimately pay after deductibles and co-pays are applied.
To minimize costs, patients should verify if the hospital offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Additionally, since Medicare sets a benchmark of $88.91 for this procedure, the commercial negotiated rates here average between 120% and 150% of that federal baseline, aligning with fair pricing standards rather than the inflated chargemaster lists often used for comparison. Given that over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, patients should request a detailed, itemized statement before paying to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. Finally, while