X-ray, chest (two views)
Facility: Lindsborg Community Hospital
Billing Code: 71046 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 71046
- Insurance Median: $516
- Cash Discount Price: $395
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.80x 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 580% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 480%). 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 | $149 | 168% |
| Tricare | $265 | 298% |
| Coventry Mcr Adv | $268 | 301% |
| Cigna | $479 | 539% |
| Coventry Comm-All Other Plans | $508 | 571% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $508 | 571% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $525 | 590% |
| Phcs Preferred-All Plans | $525 | 590% |
| Century Health-All Plans | $536 | 603% |
| Coventry Wc | $536 | 603% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $536 | 603% |
| Health Partners -All Plans | $536 | 603% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 71046, representing a chest X-ray with two views, Lindsborg Community Hospital in Kansas reported a gross charge of $564.00. When compared to the national Medicare benchmark of $88.91, the facility's gross rate is 5.8 times higher, illustrating the significant markup common in commercial billing. While the hospital's cash median price is $395.00, which is lower than the gross charge, it remains substantially above the Medicare rate. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $395.00 upfront may be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for in-network payers range from $149 to $536, often exceeding the cash amount.
The facility's median negotiated rate of $525.00 reflects the administrative costs and contract structures inherent in commercial insurance billing, which can inflate prices by 20% to 40% compared to direct cash payments. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as rates vary significantly across the 12 payers listed, with some plans paying as low as $149 while others pay up to $536. To potentially reduce costs further, patients are encouraged to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can offer additional reductions for upfront payment. Additionally, if a patient has out-of-network coverage or receives services from out-of-network providers at this facility, they may be subject to balance billing for the difference between the allowed amount and the full charge, though federal protections exist for emergency care.