X-ray, ankle
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 73610 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73610
- Insurance Median: $139
- Cash Discount Price: $212
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.56x 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 | $139 | 156% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this X-ray of the ankle at Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln, KS, the negotiated rate for Blue Cross Blue Shield is $139, while the cash price is $212. This specific service is priced at 1.6 times the Medicare benchmark of $88.91. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should note that cash payments can sometimes be more cost-effective than using insurance if the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, particularly for those with high-deductible plans. Because the cash rate is higher than the negotiated rate, using an in-network plan may result in lower out-of-pocket costs depending on your deductible status.
To minimize unexpected costs, patients should verify if the facility offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can significantly reduce the final bill. If you receive a bill from this provider, it is crucial to request a full itemized audit rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, if you are concerned about balance billing, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from being billed for out-of-network emergency services or non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, so you should dispute any surprise charges immediately with your insurer.