X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $280
- Cash Discount Price: $266
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.15x 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 315% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 215%). 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 | $89 - $295 | 100% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $151 | 170% |
| Triwest Well Mark All Plans | $251 | 282% |
| First Health-All Plans | $266 | 299% |
| Aetna | $266 | 299% |
| Pref Hlth Care Sytms Comm - All Plans | $266 | 299% |
| Phc Leased Ntwrk Access - All Plans | $280 | 315% |
| Auxiant-All Plans | $280 | 315% |
| Multiplan Ppo - All Plans | $280 | 315% |
| Cigna | $292 | 328% |
| Health Partners Ks-All Plans | $292 | 328% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray (two views), the gross charge at Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems in Beloit, KS, is $295.00. While the facility's cash median rate of $266.00 is lower than the gross charge, it remains significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91, which serves as the federal baseline for true cost. The negotiated rates for in-network payers range from $151.00 to $295.00, with the lowest negotiated amount being $151.00 from Blue Cross Blue Shield. Patients should note that while cash payments may appear more expensive than some negotiated rates, they can sometimes be cheaper for those with high-deductible plans if the insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront.
This facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, and the data reflects pricing for the 2026-06 vintage. The median negotiated rate of $280.00 represents the average amount commercial insurers pay for this service, which is higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. If you are an out-of-network patient, you may face balance billing for the difference between the provider's full charge and the insurance allowed amount, though the No Surprises Act prohibits this for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. To ensure you are not overcharged, request a detailed itemized bill that