X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Clara Barton Hospital
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $220
- Cash Discount Price: $171
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.47x 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 247% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 147%). 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 | $122 | 137% |
| 6 Degrees Health - All Plans | $171 | 192% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $195 | 219% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $220 | 247% |
| Aetna | $220 | 247% |
| Phcs - All Plans | $220 | 247% |
| Hlth Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $224 | 252% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, KS, the cash median price is $171.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $220.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics. In this specific case, paying cash directly could result in a lower out-of-pocket cost compared to the standard negotiated amount, particularly for those with high-deductible plans where the insurance allowed amount might still be higher than the cash price. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can significantly reduce the final bill by bypassing costly claims processing fees.
When evaluating the cost of this service, it is important to look beyond the hospital's gross charge of $244.00 and compare it against the Medicare benchmark, which serves as the scientifically validated baseline for healthcare costs. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $88.91, and the facility's cash rate of $171.00 represents a markup relative to this federal standard. Although the data does not provide specific county or state average figures for comparison, the facility's cash rate remains a key reference point for understanding the true cost of care versus inflated chargemaster lists. Consumers should request a detailed, itemized billing audit if they receive a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered,