X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Scott County Hospital
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $213
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.40x 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 240% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 140%). 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 | $49 - $301 | 55% |
| Humana | $100 - $133 | 112% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $124 | 139% |
| Wppa | $142 - $1,200 | 160% |
| Aetna | $213 - $285 | 240% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray at Scott County Hospital in Scott City, KS, the Medicare benchmark rate is $88.91. This federal baseline serves as the objective cost standard against which commercial rates are evaluated, revealing that the facility's negotiated average of $213.00 is approximately 2.4 times the Medicare amount. While the facility's gross charges range from $49 to $1,200 across different insurance plans, it is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. For patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, paying the cash price directly may result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to the insurance negotiated rate, provided the facility offers a self-pay discount.
Scott County Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital, lists a median negotiated rate of $213.00 for this service. Patients should be aware that while in-network contracts prevent billing the full chargemaster gross, they do not guarantee the lowest possible price, as rates vary significantly by payer. To minimize costs, individuals should contact the hospital directly to inquire about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims. Additionally, if you receive a bill, request a full itemized statement to verify that all charges are accurate and that no services were unbundled or rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written audit dispute.