X-ray, neck (cervical spine)
Facility: Scott County Hospital
Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72040
- Insurance Median: $336
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.78x 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 378% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 278%). 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 - $354 | 55% |
| Humana | $157 | 177% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $160 | 180% |
| Wppa | $224 - $1,200 | 252% |
| Aetna | $336 | 378% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray of the neck (cervical spine) at Scott County Hospital in Scott City, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $49 to $1,200 across five payers, with a median negotiated amount of $336. This service is provided by a Critical Access Hospital, a facility type often subject to specific federal reimbursement rules. While the facility's median negotiated rate of $336 is higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, indicating a markup typical of commercial contracts, patients should be aware that cash prices are not listed in this report. In cases where a patient has a high deductible or no insurance, paying cash directly can sometimes result in a lower total cost than the insurance negotiated rate, provided the facility offers a self-pay or prompt-pay discount. It is essential to contact the hospital directly before scheduling to confirm if a reduced cash rate is available, as these discounts are often not advertised online.
Patients should exercise caution regarding balance billing and billing errors, as these are common pitfalls in healthcare. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur from ancillary services like emergency physicians or labs. Furthermore, over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, including double-billing or unbundled codes, which can lead to significantly higher costs. If you receive a bill, do not accept a summary invoice as final; instead, request a full itemized statement showing every CPT code and charge. If discrepancies are found, dispute them in writing to the billing supervisor rather than settling verbally. By understanding these billing principles and comparing rates against the Medicare benchmark, you can make more informed