CMS Price Transparency Data

X-ray, lower back

Facility: St Louis Childrens Hospital

Billing Code: 72110 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 72110
Insurance Median: $692
Cash Discount Price: $583
vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.48x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a X-ray, lower back at St Louis Childrens Hospital is $692. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $583. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $106.81, this hospital’s rate is 6.48x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Childrens Place, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$583

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$692

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$106.81

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $106.81 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $583 (546%)

Insurance Median: $692 (648%)

Cash: $583 (546% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $692 (648% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $106.81 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 648% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 548%). 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	$103 - $767	96%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$103 - $825	96%
Essence Healthcare [221]	$103	96%
Humana	$103 - $723	96%
UnitedHealthcare	$103 - $721	96%
Cox Health [757]	$108	101%
Medica [662]	$108	101%
Healthlink [225]	$471 - $733	441%
Cigna	$480 - $527	449%
Consociate [478]	$526	492%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$526	492%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$527	493%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$527	493%
Priority Health [648]	$527	493%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$534 - $719	500%
Allied Benefits [498]	$563 - $767	527%
Hope Trust [806]	$563	527%
Med-Pay [480]	$631 - $728	591%
Unicare [568]	$631 - $733	591%
Health Alliance [224]	$680	637%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$692 - $777	648%
First Health Commercial [734]	$721	675%
Beechstreet [551]	$728	682%
Detego Health [868]	$728	682%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$728	682%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$728	682%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$728	682%
Multiplan [240]	$728	682%
Phcs [244]	$728 - $777	682%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$733	686%
Coresource [497]	$767	718%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$767	718%
Mail Handlers [495]	$767	718%
Medica [661]	$777	727%
Hfn [563]	$825	772%

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 $583.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 72110.

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 72110.
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.