X-ray, neck (cervical spine)
Facility: Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems
Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72040
- Insurance Median: $263
- Cash Discount Price: $249
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.96x 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 296% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 196%). 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 - $277 | 100% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $160 | 180% |
| Triwest Well Mark All Plans | $235 | 264% |
| Aetna | $249 | 280% |
| Pref Hlth Care Sytms Comm - All Plans | $249 | 280% |
| First Health-All Plans | $249 | 280% |
| Auxiant-All Plans | $263 | 296% |
| Multiplan Ppo - All Plans | $263 | 296% |
| Phc Leased Ntwrk Access - All Plans | $263 | 296% |
| Health Partners Ks-All Plans | $274 | 308% |
| Cigna | $274 | 308% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this X-ray of the cervical spine at Mitchell County Hospital Health Systems in Beloit, KS, the cash price is $249.00, which matches the median negotiated rate across 11 insurance plans. While the facility's gross charge is $277.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates for most payers exceed the cash price. The facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, lists a cash median of $249.00, which is notably lower than the state average for this service.
To ensure you receive the best possible rate, it is important to verify your specific plan's negotiated amount before scheduling, as in-network rates can vary significantly between carriers. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, ask the billing office about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the cost by 20% to 50% for upfront payments. Additionally, if you are billed for services from out-of-network providers at this in-network facility, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which prevents balance billing for emergency and non-emergency care; if a balance bill arrives, you should dispute it in writing rather than paying immediately.