X-ray, hip
Facility: Stevens County Hospital
Billing Code: 73502 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73502
- Insurance Median: $253
- Cash Discount Price: $291
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.85x 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 285% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 185%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $108 | 121% |
| Aetna | $111 - $291 | 125% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $165 - $173 | 186% |
| First Health - All Plans | $262 | 295% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $277 | 312% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $291 | 327% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 73502 (X-ray, hip) at Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton, KS, the cash price is $291.00, which matches the facility's gross charge and the highest negotiated rate among payers. This cash price is significantly higher than the state average for this service, reflecting the facility's status as a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership. While commercial payers like Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield have negotiated rates ranging from $111 to $277, these amounts often exceed the cash price for patients with high-deductible plans. In such cases, paying cash directly can be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's negotiated rate may not offer a discount below the cash rate. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status and ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, it is important to request an itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as hospitals may obscure individual charges under broad categories. Comparing your facility's rates to the Medicare benchmark of $88.91 reveals that the commercial negotiated rates average 2.8 times the Medicare amount, which is higher than the fair pricing range of 120% to 150% of Medicare. If you receive a bill that includes services not rendered or unbundled charges, you should dispute it in writing to avoid unnecessary debt. Always confirm whether your specific procedure is covered by your insurance and check for any "waiver of insurance submission" forms