X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: St Luke Hospital & Living Center
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $122
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.37x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Va Ccn | $122 | 137% |
| Humana | $122 | 137% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $122 | 137% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $122 | 137% |
| Kansas Department Of Health And Environment | $122 | 137% |
| Bluestem Pace | $122 | 137% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $124 | 139% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray, St Luke Hospital & Living Center in Marion, KS, lists a gross charge of $240.00. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, and the data indicates a median negotiated rate of $122.00 across seven payers, including major carriers like UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield. While the facility does not publish a specific cash price for this service, patients should be aware that cash-pay rates can sometimes be lower than the insurance negotiated rate, particularly for those with high-deductible plans where the insurer's allowed amount might exceed the cash price. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can significantly reduce the final cost before any insurance claim is processed.
The Medicare benchmark for this procedure is $88.91, which serves as a baseline for evaluating the facility's pricing structure. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average figures for comparison, the Medicare rate highlights that the facility's gross charge is substantially higher than the federal reimbursement standard. Under the No Surprises Act, patients are protected from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, and if a surprise bill arises, they should request a formal audit rather than paying immediately. To ensure accuracy, patients should always demand a detailed, itemized bill that breaks down every CPT code and charge, as summary invoices often obscure errors or unbundled services that could be disputed to reduce medical debt.