X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $319
- Cash Discount Price: $260
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.59x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 359% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 259%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers-All Plans | $295 | 332% |
| Aetna | $312 | 351% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $312 | 351% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $319 | 359% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $330 | 371% |
| First Health-All Plans | $330 | 371% |
| Cigna | $330 | 371% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray, Republic County Hospital in Belleville, KS, has a cash median price of $260.00, which is lower than the negotiated rates paid by insurance carriers ranging from $295 to $330. While the facility's cash price is competitive, it is important to note that patients with high-deductible plans may find the insurance negotiated rate more beneficial if their out-of-pocket costs exceed the cash price. The facility, a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, lists a Medicare benchmark of $88.91, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating pricing markups. Commercial rates typically average 200% to 300% of Medicare, whereas fair pricing is generally defined as 120% to 150% of this federal rate.
To minimize unexpected costs, patients should request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. If a summary bill is received, it is crucial to demand a full CPT-coded statement to identify any discrepancies or double-billing. Additionally, patients should inquire about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing the administrative overhead associated with insurance claims. Given that the facility is located in a rural area with seven payer contracts, verifying the specific allowed amount for your plan and checking for self-pay discounts prior to scheduling the service is essential to ensure you are paying the lowest possible rate.