X-ray, lower back
Facility: Phillips County Hospital
Billing Code: 72110 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72110
- Insurance Median: $452
- Cash Discount Price: $424
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.23x 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 $106.81 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 423% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 323%). 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 | $248 - $404 | 232% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $399 - $499 | 374% |
| Health Partners-All Plans | $499 | 467% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $499 | 467% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 72110 (X-ray, lower back), the gross charge at Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, KS is $499.00. This facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, has negotiated rates ranging from $248 to $499 across four payers, with a median negotiated amount of $452.00. The cash median price is $424.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rates. While Medicare sets a benchmark of $106.81 for this service, commercial rates are significantly higher; however, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more favorable if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds $424.00. It is important to note that the facility's specific negotiated rates vary by insurer, with Blue Cross Blue Shield offering a range of $248 to $404, while UnitedHealthcare and Health Partners-All Plans have ranges starting at $399 and $499, respectively.
To minimize costs, patients should request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a summary bill, demand a full line-by-line statement to identify any inaccuracies. Additionally, ask the billing department about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the cash price by 20% to 50% if paid upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims. Since balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act, ensure you have verified your