X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Oakleaf Surgical Hospital
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $86
- Cash Discount Price: $212
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.97x 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 | $86 | 97% |
| Dean Health Plan | $86 | 97% |
| Group Health Cooperative Of Eau Claire | $86 | 97% |
| Healthpartners | $86 | 97% |
| Humana | $86 | 97% |
| Medica | $86 | 97% |
| Quartz Health Solutions | $86 | 97% |
| Security Health Plan Of Wi | $86 - $876 | 97% |
| Ucare Wi | $86 | 97% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $86 | 97% |
| Alliance | $216 | 243% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
Oakleaf Surgical Hospital in Altoona, Wisconsin, offers a chest X-ray (single view) with a cash median price of $212. While the facility's cash rate is higher than the state average of $86, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more affordable than their insurance coverage, as the median negotiated rate is $188 and the median paid amount is $188. It is important to note that commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can make them higher than direct cash payments, so verifying specific plan details before scheduling is essential.
For this procedure, the Medicare benchmark amount is $88.91, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for evaluating the true cost of care. The facility's cash rate of $212 represents a significant markup compared to the Medicare amount, illustrating how commercial pricing structures differ from federal reimbursement standards. Consumers should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network emergencies at in-network facilities, it is still prudent to request a prompt-pay discount or self-pay rate directly from the hospital before receiving services to ensure transparency and avoid unexpected charges.