CMS Price Transparency Data

X-ray, chest (two views)

Facility: St Louis Childrens Hospital

Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 71046
Insurance Median: $405
Cash Discount Price: $341
vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.56x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a X-ray, chest (two views) at St Louis Childrens Hospital is $405. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $341. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $88.91, this hospital’s rate is 4.56x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Childrens Place, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$341

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$405

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: $341 (384%)

Insurance Median: $405 (456%)

Cash: $341 (384% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $405 (456% 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 456% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 356%). 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
Aetna	$86 - $449	97%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$86 - $483	97%
Essence Healthcare [221]	$86	97%
Humana	$86 - $423	97%
UnitedHealthcare	$86 - $422	97%
Cox Health [757]	$90	101%
Medica [662]	$90	101%
Healthlink [225]	$275 - $429	309%
Cigna	$281 - $308	316%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$308	346%
Consociate [478]	$308	346%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$308	346%
Priority Health [648]	$308	346%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$308	346%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$312 - $420	351%
Allied Benefits [498]	$329 - $449	370%
Hope Trust [806]	$329	370%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$346 - $454	389%
Med-Pay [480]	$369 - $426	415%
Unicare [568]	$369 - $429	415%
Health Alliance [224]	$398	448%
First Health Commercial [734]	$422	475%
Beechstreet [551]	$426	479%
Detego Health [868]	$426	479%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$426	479%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$426	479%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$426	479%
Multiplan [240]	$426	479%
Phcs [244]	$426 - $454	479%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$429	483%
Coresource [497]	$449	505%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$449	505%
Mail Handlers [495]	$449	505%
Medica [661]	$454	511%
Hfn [563]	$483	543%

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 $341.
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 St Louis Childrens 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.