X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $245
- Cash Discount Price: $120
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.76x 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 276% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 176%). 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% |
| Aetna | $96 - $239 | 108% |
| Kansas Health | $96 | 108% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $96 - $250 | 108% |
| Medicare (plans) | $96 | 108% |
| Humana | $96 | 108% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $201 | 226% |
| Multiplan | $269 - $278 | 303% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $281 | 316% |
| Wppa | $284 | 319% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray (two views), Bob Wilson Memorial Hospital in Ulysses, KS, lists a gross charge of $299.00. While the facility's cash median is $120.00, which is significantly lower than the state average of $202.00, patients with high-deductible plans should consider that paying cash upfront might result in a lower out-of-pocket cost than using insurance. Although the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit church, the negotiated rates vary widely among payers; for instance, Aetna and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated ranges starting at $96, while Multiplan and Health Partners Of Kansas range from $269 to $284. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and can exceed cash prices, so verifying the specific allowed amount with your insurer before scheduling is essential to avoid unexpected costs.
When reviewing your bill, be aware that Medicare serves as the objective benchmark for pricing, with this service's Medicare amount set at $88.91. The facility's cash rate of $120.00 is approximately 2.8 times the Medicare amount, which aligns with typical fair pricing ranges of 120% to 150% of Medicare, whereas commercial negotiated rates often average 200% to 300% of Medicare. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you may be subject to balance billing, where the provider bills you for the difference between their full charge and what your insurance pays. However, the