X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Ellsworth County Medical Center
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $171
- Cash Discount Price: $190
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.92x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv | $89 | 100% |
| Triwest -All Plans | $89 | 100% |
| Humana | $89 - $180 | 100% |
| Va Ccn-All Plans | $89 | 100% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $124 - $190 | 139% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $142 - $149 | 160% |
| First Health - All Plans | $171 | 192% |
| Aetna | $171 | 192% |
| Cigna | $180 | 202% |
| Coventry Mcaid-All Plans | $190 | 214% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $190 | 214% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid- All Other Plans | $190 | 214% |
| Providers Care-Wppa-All Plans | $285 | 321% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray, chest (two views) procedure at Ellsworth County Medical Center, the cash price of $190.00 is the lowest amount a patient could pay if they use their own funds. While insurance companies negotiate rates that typically range from $89 to $285 depending on the plan, these negotiated amounts are often higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. In this specific case, the cash rate of $190.00 is significantly lower than the median negotiated rate of $171.00 reported for this facility, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying cash directly rather than relying on insurance, provided they can afford the upfront cost.
Patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates are not always the lowest option available; in fact, the cash price here is lower than the facility's median negotiated rate. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network rates can exceed the cash price. Additionally, patients should ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the bill if paid in full upfront. Since this facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Ellsworth, KS, with a facility rating of 2, understanding the difference between the gross charge, the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, and the actual cash price is essential for avoiding unexpected costs.