X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $151
- Cash Discount Price: $266
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.70x 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 | $151 | 170% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing an X-ray of the chest (two views), Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln, KS, lists a cash median price of $266.00 and a median negotiated rate of $151.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the cash price is notably higher than the negotiated rate, which is a common dynamic where insurance contracts cap costs below what patients pay out-of-pocket. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $266.00 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's negotiated rate of $151.00 often exceeds the cash price, potentially leaving the patient responsible for a larger portion of the bill after their deductible is met.
This specific service is priced at $295.00 gross, which is 1.7 times the Medicare benchmark amount of $88.91. When evaluating commercial rates against federal standards, it is crucial to compare the negotiated rate to the Medicare amount rather than the inflated gross chargemaster to understand the true markup. Since there is only one payer in this dataset, Blue Cross Blue Shield, with a single plan offering a rate of $151.00, patients should verify their specific plan details before scheduling. To minimize costs, consumers are encouraged to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full before or shortly after the service.