X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Girard Medical Center
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $105
- Cash Discount Price: $180
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.18x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $105 - $525 | 118% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $105 - $285 | 118% |
| Kansas Superior Select-All Plans | $105 | 118% |
| Medicare (plans) | $105 | 118% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $105 - $124 | 118% |
| Humana | $105 | 118% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $105 | 118% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $278 | 313% |
| Uhhis-All Plans | $285 | 321% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this X-ray, chest (single view) procedure at Girard Medical Center in Kansas, the negotiated rates range from $105 to $285 across nine insurance plans, with the median negotiated amount being $105. This figure is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $300, reflecting the impact of insurance contracts. However, it is important to note that the cash price for this service is $180, which is higher than the median negotiated rate of $105. While commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price, patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying the cash price of $180 upfront is more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially if their deductible has not yet been met.
When evaluating the cost relative to state and federal benchmarks, the Medicare benchmark rate for this procedure is $88.91. The facility's cash price of $180 represents a markup of 1.2 times the Medicare rate, which aligns with the typical range for fair pricing (120% to 150% of Medicare). Commercial negotiated rates generally average between 200% and 300% of the Medicare rate, so the $105 median negotiated amount is notably lower than the commercial average. To ensure you receive the best possible rate, we recommend asking the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full before or shortly after the service. Always request a detailed, itemized bill to verify that no services were double-billed or unbundled,