X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Goodland Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $203
- Cash Discount Price: $203
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.28x 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 228% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 128%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $151 | 170% |
| Wppa | $191 - $202 | 215% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $202 | 227% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, KS, lists a cash median price of $203.00 and a median negotiated rate of $203.00. This facility, a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, reports a gross charge of $225.00. While specific county or state average data is not provided in this report, the facility's pricing structure highlights that for patients with high-deductible plans or those paying out-of-pocket, the cash price may be more favorable than the negotiated rate, which often includes administrative overhead. Patients should verify if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can reduce the final cost by bypassing the standard insurance billing cycle.
The Medicare amount for this service is $88.91, which serves as a key benchmark for evaluating the facility's pricing markup. The facility's commercial rates are 2.3 times the Medicare amount, a figure that reflects the typical range where commercial negotiated rates can average 200% to 300% of Medicare rates due to multi-layered administrative structures. To ensure you are not overpaying, it is advisable to request an itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary bill, as detailed statements can reveal unbundled codes or services not rendered that may be causing inflated charges. Additionally, if you have insurance, check your deductible status before using the facility, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in significant out-of-pocket expenses that exceed the cash price.