X-ray, ankle
Facility: Logan County Hospital
Billing Code: 73610 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73610
- Insurance Median: $240
- Cash Discount Price: $70
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.70x 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 270% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 170%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $139 | 156% |
| Humana | $148 | 166% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $332 | 373% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $350 | 394% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this X-ray of the ankle at Logan County Hospital in Oakley, Kansas, the facility's cash price of $70.00 is significantly lower than the state average of $240.00, offering a potential savings of $170.00 for patients paying out-of-pocket. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Humana are set at $139 and $148 respectively, these amounts remain higher than the cash price. This pricing structure suggests that for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, paying the cash rate directly may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's negotiated ceiling does not match the facility's self-pay discount.
To minimize unexpected costs, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative fees associated with insurance claims. It is also important to understand that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for emergency care at in-network facilities, patients should still request a full itemized bill to verify that no unbundled charges or services not rendered are included. Given that over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, reviewing the line-by-line statement against the Medicare benchmark of $88.91 can help identify any discrepancies, ensuring the patient pays only the agreed-upon negotiated or cash rate rather than inflated chargemaster amounts.