X-ray, hip
Facility: St Luke Hospital & Living Center
Billing Code: 73502 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73502
- Insurance Median: $166
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.87x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $166 | 187% |
| Va Ccn | $166 | 187% |
| Humana | $166 | 187% |
| Bluestem Pace | $166 | 187% |
| Kansas Department Of Health And Environment | $166 | 187% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $166 | 187% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $168 | 189% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this X-ray of the hip at St Luke Hospital & Living Center in Marion, KS, the facility's negotiated rate is $166, which matches the lowest and highest amounts reported across all seven payers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield and Humana. This specific rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, reflecting a markup of 1.9 times the federal baseline. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government authority, the data does not provide a direct comparison to state or county average rates for this specific procedure. Given that the negotiated rate exceeds the Medicare amount, patients with high-deductible plans might find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price directly, provided the facility offers a self-pay or prompt-pay discount that brings the cost below the insurance allowed amount.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, it is essential to request a full itemized bill before finalizing payment, as summary invoices often obscure individual code costs and potential errors. Even though this service is covered by multiple insurance plans, the administrative costs associated with claims processing can inflate the final charge, so verifying the exact "self-pay" classification at check-in is crucial. If you receive a bill that appears higher than expected, you should dispute any unbundled charges or services not rendered in writing to the billing supervisor, rather than accepting a verbal settlement. Additionally, under the No Surprises Act, you are protected from balance billing for out-of-network services at this in-network facility, so do not sign any waivers that waive these federal rights.