X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $353
- Cash Discount Price: $288
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.97x 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 397% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 297%). 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 | $326 | 367% |
| Aetna | $346 | 389% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $346 | 389% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $353 | 397% |
| First Health-All Plans | $365 | 411% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $365 | 411% |
| Cigna | $365 | 411% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray, chest (two views) procedure at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, KS, the cash price is $288.00, which is lower than the median negotiated rate of $353.00 paid by insurance carriers. While the facility's cash rate is $4.00 higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash directly more cost-effective if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. It is important to note that the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, and the specific ZIP code 66935 reflects a localized pricing environment where commercial rates vary slightly among the seven participating payers, ranging from $326 to $365.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, always request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as summary bills often obscure individual code costs and potential errors. If you choose to use insurance, be aware that the facility's negotiated rates are set by contract and may not represent the lowest possible price available in the region; for instance, Rural Carriers-All Plans paid the lowest amount of $326, while others paid up to $365. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if you settle the bill upfront, effectively bypassing the administrative overhead associated with insurance claims processing.