CMS Price Transparency Data

X-ray, chest (two views)

Facility: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 71046
Insurance Median: $280
Cash Discount Price: $290
vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.15x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a X-ray, chest (two views) at Barnes Jewish Hospital is $280. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $290. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $88.91, this hospital’s rate is 3.15x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$290

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$280

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$88.91

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $88.91 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $290 (326%)

Insurance Median: $280 (315%)

Cash: $290 (326% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $280 (315% of 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 315% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 215%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance Rate (%)

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

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	$47 - $420	53%
Consociate [478]	$66	74%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$66	74%
Aetna	$70 - $362	79%
Allied Benefits [498]	$70 - $359	79%
Coresource [497]	$70 - $102	79%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$70 - $102	79%
Mail Handlers [495]	$70 - $102	79%
Cigna	$72 - $386	81%
Essence Healthcare [221]	$87	98%
Humana	$87 - $316	98%
UnitedHealthcare	$87 - $380	98%
Cox Health [757]	$92	103%
Devoted Health Plan [847]	$92	103%
Medica [662]	$92	103%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$99	111%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$99	111%
Priority Health [648]	$99	111%
Healthlink [225]	$234 - $365	263%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$266 - $314	299%
Health Alliance [224]	$266	299%
Hope Trust [806]	$280	315%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$295 - $380	332%
Med-Pay [480]	$314 - $362	353%
Unicare [568]	$314 - $365	353%
First Health Commercial [734]	$359	404%
Beechstreet [551]	$362	407%
Detego Health [868]	$362	407%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$362	407%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$362	407%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$362	407%
Multiplan [240]	$362	407%
Phcs [244]	$362 - $386	407%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$365	411%
Medica [661]	$386	434%
Hfn [563]	$411	462%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $290.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 71046.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Barnes Jewish Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 71046.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.