X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Sheridan County Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $208
- Cash Discount Price: $280
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.34x 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 234% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 134%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Insurance | $169 | 190% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $208 | 234% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $266 | 299% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, KS, lists a cash price of $280.00. This cash rate matches the facility's median paid amount and is identical to the gross charge, indicating no automatic discounts are applied at the point of service. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the cash price is significantly higher than the state average, which is approximately 2.3 times the Medicare benchmark rate of $88.91. Patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find this cash price competitive, as it avoids the administrative overhead and potential balance billing associated with insurance claims processing.
Insurance carriers in this region have negotiated specific rates that differ from the cash price, with Celtic Insurance, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare all agreeing to pay $169, $208, and $266 respectively. These negotiated amounts are lower than the $280 cash rate, suggesting that for patients with active coverage, using insurance may result in a lower out-of-pocket cost depending on their deductible status. However, patients should be aware that prompt-pay discounts, which can range from 20% to 50%, are typically reserved for self-pay patients who settle their bill upfront. To secure these potential savings, individuals should request a self-pay classification and a prompt-pay discount before scheduling their appointment, rather than waiting to inquire after receiving an insurance bill.