X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $82
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.92x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $31 - $84 | 35% |
| Vc Hope | $81 | 91% |
| Medicare (plans) | $81 - $83 | 91% |
| Humana | $81 | 91% |
| Va | $81 | 91% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $83 - $228 | 93% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $83 | 93% |
| Smarthealth | $114 | 128% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $138 | 155% |
| Cigna | $168 | 189% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, "X-ray, chest (two views)," at Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc in Wichita, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $31 to $228 depending on the insurance carrier. While the lowest negotiated rate of $31 is significantly lower than the facility's median negotiated rate of $82.00, it remains higher than the Medicare benchmark of $88.91 for this service. This discrepancy highlights that commercial rates are often inflated by administrative costs and contract dynamics rather than reflecting the true cost of care. Patients should be aware that while in-network insurance provides protection against balance billing, the resulting allowed amounts can sometimes exceed what a patient would pay out-of-pocket for cash, particularly if their plan has a high deductible.
To minimize costs, patients should actively inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payments can bypass the administrative overhead associated with insurance claims processing. It is also critical to request a full itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. By comparing the facility's rates directly to the Medicare benchmark and verifying the specific negotiated amount for their plan, consumers can make informed decisions that avoid unexpected financial burdens.