X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $252
- Cash Discount Price: $123
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.83x 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 283% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 183%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Centura Employee Plan | $91 | 102% |
| Humana | $99 | 111% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $99 - $257 | 111% |
| Kansas Health | $99 | 111% |
| Medicare (plans) | $99 | 111% |
| Aetna | $99 - $247 | 111% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $165 | 186% |
| Multiplan | $278 - $287 | 313% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $290 | 326% |
| Wppa | $293 | 330% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71045, representing a chest X-ray at Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, KS, the facility's cash median price is $123.00, which is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by most commercial insurers. While the facility's negotiated rates range from $91 to $293 depending on the payer, the cash price offers a potential savings for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, as the cash rate is often lower than the insurance allowed amount. It is important to note that Medicare, which serves as a reliable benchmark for fair pricing, allows $88.91 for this service, making the cash rate of $123.00 a reasonable alternative to the higher commercial negotiated rates that can exceed $250.
Patients should be aware that commercial insurance contracts often result in higher out-of-pocket costs due to administrative overhead and network tiering, with some payers negotiating rates up to 257% of the Medicare benchmark. To minimize costs, individuals should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the cash price upfront may be more economical if the insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash rate. Additionally, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the bill by bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.