X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Hospital District #6 Patterson Health Center
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $171
- Cash Discount Price: $152
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.92x 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.
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 | $142 - $149 | 160% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $171 - $190 | 192% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $332 | 373% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing an X-ray of the chest (two views) at the Hospital District #6 Patterson Health Center in Anthony, KS, the cash median price is $152.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rates of $171.00. This cash price is also significantly lower than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91 when adjusted for the facility's specific cost structure, though the direct comparison shows the cash rate is higher than the base Medicare amount. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash median of $152.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates paid by insurers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare range from $142 to $190, often exceeding the cash price. To minimize costs, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill.
It is important to understand that the $190.00 gross charge listed is the maximum list price before any insurance negotiation or cash discounts are applied. If a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider, they could face balance billing for the difference between this gross charge and what their insurance allows, though the No Surprises Act protects emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities from such surprise bills. Furthermore, patients should never accept a summary bill as final; instead, they should request a detailed, itemized audit to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies that can be corrected