X-ray, neck (cervical spine)
Facility: Kingman Healthcare Center
Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72040
- Insurance Median: $31
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.35x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Healthy Blue | $31 | 35% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $31 | 35% |
| Aetna | $52 | 58% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray of the cervical spine at Kingman Healthcare Center in Kansas, the median negotiated rate is $31.00, which aligns exactly with the lowest and highest reported rates for Healthy Blue and Medicaid/KanCare plans. This facility, a Critical Access Hospital, charges a median paid amount of $189.00, which is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91. While commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that can inflate rates by 20% to 40% above the true cost of care, the cash median is not listed for this service. In cases where insurance negotiated rates exceed the cash price, paying out-of-pocket can sometimes be more cost-effective for patients with high-deductible plans, provided they secure a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling.
Patients should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act, though unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services like lab work are out-of-network. To ensure you receive the most accurate pricing, it is essential to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes. Since the facility is a voluntary non-profit, you may have additional opportunities to negotiate, but always verify your specific plan's allowed amount and deductible status prior to receiving care to avoid unexpected financial burdens.