X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Fredonia Regional Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $180
- Cash Discount Price: $200
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.02x 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 202% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 102%). 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 | $99 - $151 | 111% |
| Veterans Programs - All Plans | $102 | 115% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $102 - $180 | 115% |
| Aetna | $102 - $180 | 115% |
| Reserve National-All Plans | $180 | 202% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $180 | 202% |
| Cigna | $180 | 202% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, the cash price at Fredonia Regional Hospital in Fredonia, KS is $200.00, which matches the facility's cash median. This rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, reflecting a markup common in commercial pricing where negotiated rates often average 200% to 300% of the federal baseline. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should note that their specific insurance plan may negotiate a lower allowed amount; for instance, UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have negotiated rates ranging from $102 to $180, while Blue Cross Blue Shield ranges from $99 to $151. Because commercial negotiated rates frequently exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures, individuals with high-deductible plans might find paying the full cash price of $200.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, provided their out-of-pocket maximum is not already reached.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid upfront, bypassing the administrative fees associated with insurance claims processing. It is crucial to verify the exact allowed amount with the insurance carrier before scheduling, as assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest price is a common pitfall; in this case, the lowest negotiated rate found is $99.00, but this varies by plan. Additionally, if a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider or encounters unexpected ancillary services, they