X-ray, neck (cervical spine)
Facility: Logan County Hospital
Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72040
- Insurance Median: $309
- Cash Discount Price: $90
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.48x 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 348% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 248%). 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 | $160 | 180% |
| Humana | $191 | 215% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $428 | 481% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $450 | 506% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray of the cervical spine at Logan County Hospital in Oakley, Kansas, the facility's cash price is $90.00, which is significantly lower than the state average of $309.00. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Humana are set at $160 and $191 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 of $90.00 directly could result in substantial savings compared to standard insurance billing. Patients should contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these upfront payment options often bypass the administrative overhead that inflates insurance negotiated rates.
It is important to understand that the $160.00 to $191.00 rates charged by in-network insurers are not the full list price but rather contractual ceilings agreed upon with the hospital. However, because these negotiated amounts exceed the cash price, patients should verify their specific plan coverage and deductible status before scheduling to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs. If a patient receives a bill higher than the $90.00 cash rate, they should request a detailed, itemized CPT-coded statement to ensure no errors exist, such as unbundled charges or services not rendered. Furthermore, under federal protections like the No Surprises Act, patients are generally shielded from balance billing for emergency care or non-emergency services provided by out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, meaning any surprise bill should be disputed immediately with the insurer rather than paid in full.