X-ray, ankle
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 73610 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 73610
- Insurance Median: $645
- Cash Discount Price: $501
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.25x 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 725% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 625%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $146 - $154 | 164% |
| Preferred Phsic | $430 | 484% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $580 | 652% |
| Aetna | $645 | 725% |
| Cigna | $645 | 725% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $645 | 725% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $645 | 725% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray, ankle procedure (CPT 73610) at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS, the facility's cash median price of $501.00 is lower than the state average of $580.00, making it a cost-effective option for self-pay patients. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Aetna, Cigna, and Preferred Healthcare are fixed at $645.00, these amounts exceed the cash price, suggesting that patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance could save money by paying the cash rate directly. It is important to note that commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price by 20% to 40%, so the negotiated rate of $645.00 does not represent the lowest possible cost for this service.
To ensure you are not overcharged, patients should verify if the facility offers a "prompt-pay" discount, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment, effectively bringing the cost closer to the $501.00 cash median. Additionally, if you have insurance, be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act, though unexpected ancillary charges from out-of-network providers may still occur. If you receive a summary bill, do not accept it as final; instead, request a full itemized audit to identify errors such as code unbundling or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes that can be corrected through a formal written dispute.