X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Osborne County Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $196
- Cash Discount Price: $184
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.20x 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 220% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 120%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $164 | 184% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $186 | 209% |
| Wppa | $205 | 231% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $212 | 238% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray (two views), the gross charge at Osborne County Memorial Hospital is $216.00. This facility, a Critical Access Hospital in Osborne, KS, has negotiated rates ranging from $164.00 to $212.00 across four payers, with a median negotiated rate of $196.00. The cash-pay median price is $184.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rates. While the facility is in-network for these payers, patients should verify their specific plan details, as cash payments can sometimes be more cost-effective if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. It is advisable to ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can further lower the final cost.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $88.91, and the facility's gross charge is 2.2 times the Medicare amount. This markup is consistent with commercial pricing structures where administrative costs and contract dynamics often result in rates significantly higher than the federal baseline. Since the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, patients should be aware that billing practices may differ from larger urban centers. To ensure you are not overcharged, request a full itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices can obscure individual line items. If you receive a balance bill for out-of-network ancillary services, you may have protections under the No Surprises Act, and it is important to dispute any unexpected charges in writing rather than paying immediately out of fear.