X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: William Newton Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $109
- Cash Discount Price: $224
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.23x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Triwest- All Plans | $78 | 88% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $81 - $143 | 91% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $81 - $201 | 91% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $81 - $224 | 91% |
| Providrs Care Nexus | $137 | 154% |
| Providrs Care - All Other Plans | $157 | 177% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views at William Newton Hospital in Winfield, KS, the cash price is $224.00, which matches the facility's gross charge and the median cash rate. This cash price is significantly higher than the state average, as indicated by a ratio of 1.2 versus the typical benchmark. While commercial insurance plans like Triwest-All Plans and UnitedHealthcare negotiate rates ranging from $78 to $224, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price for patients with high-deductible plans. In such cases, paying the cash rate directly can sometimes result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to the insurance negotiated rate, provided the patient has not yet met their deductible.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, it is crucial to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as summary bills often obscure individual line items and potential errors. Additionally, patients should inquire about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total cost by offering immediate liquidity incentives to those who pay upfront. Since this facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, verifying the specific "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" classification at registration is essential to avoid automatic claims submission that might void any cash discount agreements. Always compare the final allowed amount against the Medicare benchmark of $88.91 to understand the true cost basis of the service.