X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Amberwell Atchison Association
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $222
- Cash Discount Price: $434
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.50x 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 250% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 150%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $117 - $124 | 132% |
| Humana | $143 - $195 | 161% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $143 | 161% |
| Superior Select Mcr Adv - All Plans | $143 | 161% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $143 - $779 | 161% |
| Triwest - All Plans | $143 | 161% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $222 | 250% |
| Aetna | $239 | 269% |
| Cigna | $239 | 269% |
| Centrus Health Direct - All Plans | $326 | 367% |
| Oscar - All Plans | $326 | 367% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $339 | 381% |
| Wppa Providrs Care - All Plans | $391 | 440% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray, Amberwell Atchison Association in Atchison, KS, lists a cash price of $434.00. This cash rate is significantly higher than the state average, which is $88.91. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Humana have negotiated rates ranging from $117 to $195, these amounts often exceed the cash price for patients with high-deductible plans. In such cases, paying the cash rate directly can be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's negotiated ceiling may still be above the facility's self-pay price. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling to ensure they are not overpaying for in-network coverage.
It is important to note that the facility's median negotiated rate of $222.00 is lower than the cash price but higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91. This disparity highlights how commercial contracts can inflate costs compared to federal standards. To minimize out-of-pocket expenses, patients should inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, consumers should request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary invoice. If a balance bill arises from an out-of-network service, patients may have protections under the No Surprises Act, allowing them to dispute the charge with the insurer rather than paying immediately.