X-ray, neck (cervical spine)
Facility: Liberty Hospital
Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72040
- Insurance Median: $93
- Cash Discount Price: $159
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.05x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $11 - $446 | 12% |
| Aetna | $39 - $81 | 44% |
| Humana | $68 - $82 | 76% |
| Cigna | $81 | 91% |
| Medicare (plans) | $81 - $89 | 91% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $81 - $133 | 91% |
| Healthy Blue | $87 | 98% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $102 | 115% |
| Home State Health | $118 | 133% |
| Fox Everett | $332 - $338 | 373% |
| Phcs | $416 - $423 | 468% |
| Multiplan | $460 - $468 | 517% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients paying out-of-pocket, the most important thing to know is that the cash median rate for this X-ray, neck (cervical spine) procedure at Liberty Hospital is $159. Because this facility is a voluntary non-profit private hospital in Liberty, Missouri, self-pay patients should specifically inquire about "prompt-pay" discounts or "self-pay" classification before scheduling to ensure they receive the lowest possible upfront cost. While the facility's cash rate is significantly lower than the gross chargemaster price of $559, understanding that commercial insurance rates can sometimes be higher than cash is crucial; for example, some in-network payers like Fox Everett and Phcs have negotiated high-end rates exceeding $338 and $423 respectively, meaning a patient with a high deductible might save money by paying the $159 cash price directly rather than relying on insurance.
The broader pricing context shows that Liberty Hospital's cash rate of $159 is notably lower than the state of Missouri average, which is $260. However, it is important to note that the facility's cash price is higher than the Medicare amount of $88.91, which serves as the objective benchmark for true cost. Patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, they must still carefully review itemized bills to avoid errors, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. If a patient receives a summary bill, they should request a full CPT-coded itemized statement to identify any unbundled charges or services not rendered before negotiating or paying.