X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Stanton County Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $294
- Cash Discount Price: $310
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.31x 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 331% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 231%). 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 | $143 - $294 | 161% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $304 | 342% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $310 | 349% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046 (X-ray, chest, two views) at Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, KS, the cash price is $310.00, which matches the facility's gross charge and the median paid by some payers. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, the cash rate is notably higher than the state average for this procedure, which is $299.00. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the full cash price of $310.00 more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for in-network plans range from $294.00 to $310.00, meaning the cash price does not exceed the lowest negotiated amount. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some commercial payers may negotiate rates that are higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract dynamics.
To ensure you receive the most accurate billing, always request an itemized bill that lists specific CPT codes rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual charges. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the provider's chargemaster and your insurance allowed amount, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from these unexpected costs for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Additionally, you can often reduce your final cost by asking the hospital about prompt-pay discounts, which typically range from 20% to 50% off the cash price when paid upfront, bypassing the administrative overhead of insurance claims processing. Always dispute any errors in writing with a certified letter to the billing supervisor, as verbal disputes rarely result in