X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $260
- Cash Discount Price: $274
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.92x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 292% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 192%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $219 | 246% |
| Humana | $249 | 280% |
| Aetna | $253 - $274 | 285% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $260 | 292% |
| Hpk-All Plans | $260 | 292% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $274 | 308% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, the negotiated rates for this service at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital range from $219 to $274, with a median negotiated amount of $260. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, and its pricing structure is significantly higher than the national baseline; the commercial negotiated rate is 2.9 times the Medicare benchmark of $88.91. While the facility's cash price is set at $274, which matches the highest negotiated rate, patients with high-deductible plans should be aware that paying cash upfront might be more cost-effective if their insurance allows for a lower allowed amount than the facility's contract rate. It is crucial to verify the specific allowed amount for your plan before scheduling, as assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest possible price can lead to unexpected costs if the facility's negotiated ceiling exceeds your plan's limit.
To minimize out-of-pocket expenses, patients should proactively inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before check-in, as these programs often offer fee reductions of 20% to 50% for upfront payments that bypass costly insurance claims processing. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, receiving a summary bill should not be accepted as the final invoice; instead, patients should request a detailed, itemized statement to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, under the No Surprises Act, patients are protected from balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, meaning any surprise charges should be disputed immediately with the insurer rather than paid out of fear of credit damage.