X-ray, ankle
Facility: Clay County Medical Center
Billing Code: 73610 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73610
- Insurance Median: $247
- Cash Discount Price: $266
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.78x 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 278% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 178%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplan- All Plans | $8 - $291 | 9% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $10 - $291 | 11% |
| Wppa/Providrs Care- All Plans | $19 - $285 | 21% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $19 - $291 | 21% |
| Aetna | $19 - $285 | 21% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray, ankle procedure (CPT 73610) at Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, KS, the cash price is $266.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $247.00. This cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, reflecting a markup of 2.8 times the federal rate. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract structures. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price of $266.00 upfront might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in a higher allowed amount after your deductible is met.
To ensure you are getting the best possible price, it is recommended to ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling your visit, as these can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%. Additionally, if you choose to use insurance, remember that the facility's allowed amount is a contractually agreed-upon ceiling that may still leave you responsible for the difference if your deductible has not been satisfied. Always request a detailed, itemized bill rather than a summary invoice to verify that all charges are accurate and that no services were unbundled or duplicated, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written audit.