X-ray, neck (cervical spine)
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 72040 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72040
- Insurance Median: $586
- Cash Discount Price: $456
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.59x 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 659% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 559%). 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 | $167 - $176 | 188% |
| Preferred Phsic | $391 | 440% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $528 | 594% |
| Cigna | $586 | 659% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $586 | 659% |
| Aetna | $586 | 659% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $586 | 659% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the X-ray of the cervical spine at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS, the facility's cash median rate of $456.00 is notably lower than the median negotiated rate of $528.00 paid by most insurers. While the facility's negotiated rate of $586.00 aligns with the state average for this service, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective, as the cash rate is significantly below the amount their insurance would allow. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, patients should still verify their specific plan details and ask the hospital about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling to ensure they are not subject to unexpected charges.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against the federal Medicare rate of $88.91, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. Although the commercial negotiated rate is higher than Medicare, it remains within the typical range of 200% to 300% of the Medicare amount often seen in commercial contracts. To avoid errors or overcharges, patients should request a full itemized bill that lists specific CPT codes rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. If a balance bill is received, patients should first confirm whether the provider is truly out-of-network and then formally dispute the charge with the insurer rather than paying immediately to protect their financial interests.