X-ray, chest (single view)
Facility: Aurora Medical Center
Billing Code: 71045 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71045
- Insurance Median: $336
- Cash Discount Price: $233
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.78x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 378% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 278%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $200 - $384 | 225% |
| Aurora Caregiver | $240 | 270% |
| Quartz One | $245 | 276% |
| Common Ground | $249 | 280% |
| Everpointe Elite | $259 | 291% |
| Healthpartners | $266 - $349 | 299% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $275 - $395 | 309% |
| Health Eos Plus | $279 | 314% |
| Quartz Group | $290 | 326% |
| Hs Technology | $293 | 330% |
| Wisconsin Physician Service | $299 - $315 | 336% |
| Molina Exchange | $308 | 346% |
| Centivo | $328 | 369% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $336 - $392 | 378% |
| Health Eos | $372 | 418% |
| Cigna | $393 - $460 | 442% |
| Health Payment Systems | $400 | 450% |
| Trilogy | $410 | 461% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients considering self-pay, the most critical information is that the cash median rate for this X-ray service is exactly $233, which represents the average amount billed to those without insurance. While commercial insurance plans typically pay significantly higher amounts due to administrative overhead and contract structures, paying cash upfront can sometimes be the most financially advantageous option, particularly for individuals with high-deductible plans where the insurer's negotiated rate might exceed the cash price. It is essential to contact Aurora Medical Center directly before scheduling to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these upfront fee reductions can further lower the final cost.
Broader rate context reveals that the facility's cash median of $233 is notably lower than the median negotiated rate of $336 and the median paid amount of $282, highlighting the substantial savings potential of direct payment. Furthermore, when compared to the national Medicare benchmark of $88.91, the facility's cash rate is approximately 3.8 times higher, indicating a significant markup relative to the federal government's cost-based calculation. This disparity underscores why commercial rates often appear inflated; while the facility's ownership is a voluntary non-profit, the pricing dynamics for insured patients remain complex, with allowed amounts ranging from $200 to $460 across various payers, making a direct cash payment the most predictable and transparent pricing path.