X-ray, hip
Facility: Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems
Billing Code: 73502 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73502
- Insurance Median: $246
- Cash Discount Price: $233
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.77x 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 277% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 177%). 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 - $259 | 100% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $173 | 195% |
| Triwest Well Mark All Plans | $220 | 247% |
| First Health-All Plans | $233 | 262% |
| Aetna | $233 | 262% |
| Pref Hlth Care Sytms Comm - All Plans | $233 | 262% |
| Auxiant-All Plans | $246 | 277% |
| Phc Leased Ntwrk Access - All Plans | $246 | 277% |
| Multiplan Ppo - All Plans | $246 | 277% |
| Cigna | $256 | 288% |
| Health Partners Ks-All Plans | $256 | 288% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this X-ray, hip procedure at Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems in Beloit, KS, the facility's cash price of $233.00 is notably lower than the median negotiated rate of $246.00 paid by commercial insurers. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, patients should be aware that commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overheads that inflate the final bill. In this specific case, the cash price aligns closely with the median negotiated amount, suggesting that paying out-of-pocket might not yield significant savings compared to standard insurance processing, though it remains a viable option for those with high deductibles or limited coverage.
To ensure you receive the best possible rate, it is essential to verify your specific plan's negotiated amount before scheduling, as in-network rates can vary significantly between carriers. If you choose to pay directly, ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total cost by offering immediate liquidity incentives. Additionally, since the facility is in-network, the No Surprises Act likely protects you from unexpected balance billing for emergency services, but you should still request a full, itemized bill to review all CPT codes and ensure no unbundled charges or services not rendered are included in the final invoice.