X-ray, hip
Facility: Oakleaf Surgical Hospital
Billing Code: 73502 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73502
- Insurance Median: $86
- Cash Discount Price: $204
- 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, located in Altoona, Wisconsin, provides an X-ray of the hip with a cash median price of $204. This cash rate is notably lower than the facility's median negotiated rate of $86 and significantly below the Medicare amount of $88.91. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $204 upfront may result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to the insurance negotiated rate of $86, provided their deductible has not yet been met. It is important to note that while the facility's ownership is physician-owned and the procedure is billed under CPT code 73502, patients should verify their specific plan details before scheduling to ensure they understand their financial responsibility.
When considering payment options, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill further by bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing. Although the data indicates 11 payers with a high-low range of $86 to $876, the cash price remains a viable option for those seeking to avoid balance billing or unexpected charges from out-of-network services. To protect against errors, consumers are advised to request a full itemized billing audit that details every CPT code and unit cost rather than accepting a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital invoices contain discrepancies such as unbundled codes or services not rendered.