X-ray, pelvis
Facility: Phillips County Hospital
Billing Code: 72170 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72170
- Insurance Median: $213
- Cash Discount Price: $200
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.99x 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.
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 | $133 - $191 | 125% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $188 - $235 | 176% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $235 | 220% |
| Health Partners-All Plans | $235 | 220% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray of the pelvis at Phillips County Hospital in Phillipsburg, Kansas, the cash price is $200.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rates for major payers like UnitedHealthcare ($188.00 to $235.00) and Blue Cross Blue Shield ($133.00 to $191.00). While Medicaid/KanCare and Health Partners-All Plans have a fixed rate of $235.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash upfront more cost-effective, as the cash price avoids the administrative overhead and potential balance billing associated with insurance claims. It is important to note that the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, and while the cash rate is competitive, patients should explicitly request a "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling to secure an additional fee reduction, as waiting until after receiving a bill often forfeits these incentives.
The facility's cash rate of $200.00 is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, reflecting the standard markup for commercial services where negotiated rates often range between 200% and 300% of the Medicare amount. However, the median paid amount for this service across payers is $191.00, which is slightly lower than the cash price, suggesting that for many insured patients, the insurance negotiated rate may be the most economical option depending on their specific plan details. Given that over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, patients should always request a full itemized bill to verify that all charges are accurate and that no services were unbundled