CMS Price Transparency Data

X-ray, neck (cervical spine)

Facility: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 72040
Insurance Median: $248
Cash Discount Price: $250
vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.79x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a X-ray, neck (cervical spine) at Barnes Jewish Hospital is $248. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $250. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $88.91, this hospital’s rate is 2.79x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$250

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$248

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: $250 (281%)

Insurance Median: $248 (279%)

Cash: $250 (281% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $248 (279% 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 279% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 179%). 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	$59 - $362	66%
Consociate [478]	$74	83%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$74	83%
Humana	$77 - $87	87%
Aetna	$87 - $312	98%
Essence Healthcare [221]	$87	98%
UnitedHealthcare	$87 - $380	98%
Cigna	$89 - $333	100%
Cox Health [757]	$92	103%
Devoted Health Plan [847]	$92	103%
Medica [662]	$92	103%
Allied Benefits [498]	$120 - $309	135%
Coresource [497]	$120	135%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$120	135%
Mail Handlers [495]	$120	135%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$123	138%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$123	138%
Priority Health [648]	$123	138%
Healthlink [225]	$202 - $314	227%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$229 - $270	258%
Health Alliance [224]	$229	258%
Hope Trust [806]	$241	271%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$254 - $380	286%
Med-Pay [480]	$270 - $312	304%
Unicare [568]	$270 - $314	304%
First Health Commercial [734]	$309	348%
Beechstreet [551]	$312	351%
Detego Health [868]	$312	351%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$312	351%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$312	351%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$312	351%
Multiplan [240]	$312	351%
Phcs [244]	$312 - $333	351%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$314	353%
Medica [661]	$333	375%
Hfn [563]	$354	398%

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 $250.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 72040.

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 72040.
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.