X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Sheridan County Hospital
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $170
- Cash Discount Price: $230
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.91x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Insurance | $139 | 156% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $170 | 191% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $218 | 245% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray at Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, KS, the cash price is $230.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, indicating a markup of 190% over the federal baseline. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the full cash price of $230.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates for in-network payers like Celtic Insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare are all set at $139, $170, and $218 respectively. In this specific case, the cash price exceeds the lowest negotiated rate, meaning patients with insurance coverage could potentially save money by using their plan rather than paying out-of-pocket, provided they meet their deductible.
It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still verify their specific plan details before scheduling. If a patient chooses to pay directly, they should explicitly ask the hospital for any available "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final amount owed by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, patients should request a fully itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. By comparing the $230.00 cash