X-ray, neck (cervical spine)
Facility: Stevens County Hospital
Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72040
- Insurance Median: $234
- Cash Discount Price: $269
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.63x 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 263% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 163%). 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 | $99 | 111% |
| Aetna | $102 - $269 | 115% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $152 - $160 | 171% |
| First Health - All Plans | $242 | 272% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $255 | 287% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $269 | 303% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray of the cervical spine at Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton, Kansas, the cash price is $269.00, which matches the facility's gross charge and the median cash rate. This amount is significantly higher than the state average for this procedure, which is $234.00. While commercial insurance plans like Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield negotiate rates ranging from $102 to $269, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash rate of $269.00 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's negotiated rate could result in higher out-of-pocket costs before the deductible is met.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, it is important to request an itemized bill that breaks down every CPT code and unit cost, as summary bills can obscure individual charges. Additionally, you should verify if the facility offers a prompt-pay discount, which could reduce the $269.00 cash price by 20% to 50% if paid in full within 30 days. Since this facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government ownership, you may also find that self-pay rates are available directly from the billing department. Always confirm your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling to avoid unexpected balance billing, though the No Surprises Act protects you from surprise charges for out-of-network services at in-network facilities.