How much does a chest x ray cost without insurance

Q: How much is an X

If you dont have insurance, an x-ray will cost somewhere between $100-$1,000. The average x-ray cost is around $260-$460. The price varies by provider, what location you are getting the x-ray, the part of the body needing the x-ray, and how many views need to be taken.

Part 1 in a Series. So the story goes like this. A patient of mine needed a chest x-ray. He doesn't have health insurance, so rather than just give him a requisition and send him to the local hospital, I decided to do a little calling around on his behalf to find out what the damage would be…

Table of Contents Show

What is the normal price for a chest X ray?
How much is an X
What can a chest X ray diagnose?
How much is a chest X ray without insurance in NY?

Vendor #1: A well-known local hospital

I called up the radiology department and asked them how much a PA and Lateral Chest X-ray would cost. “I don't know – we don't have that information” I was told by the clerk. The radiologist gave me the same answer. They both said I should just send the patient over and he would find out the cost when he received the bill.

That seemed a little dumb. Since when do we go into stores and buy things without knowing the price?

So after 4 additional phone calls and about 2 hours, my assistant and I finally reached Bob who is in charge of uninsured patient billing. He was able to tell me the price: $517.

For a PA and Lateral Chest x-ray.

For cash paying patients who pay at the time of service and know to ask for the “20-20” discount by name, the price ends up being reduced to $310.20. But you have to know the secret code word.

Time to receive report in my office: 2-3 days.

Quality: Good

Vendor #2: Free-Standing Private Radiology Office (Click here for this provider's web site).

I called up and the receiptionist answered on the first ring. I asked how much for a PA and Lateral Chest x-ray.

An immediate answer: $73.

Time to receive report in my office: 1 hour.

Quality: Just as Good

So my quesiton is this. How can the hospital be charging 4.25 times as much as the place down the street to cash-paying patients, for the same product and actually inferior response time? (or 7 times as much without the secret code word). I know, “cost shifting” is a common refrain. But that just doesn't fly any more.

And what's more disturbing, how can it be so difficult to find out the price when you call up and ask?

So many doctors just send their patients to the hospital x-ray department or lab without thinking that it may bankrupt them. And many doctors have no idea that the price spread can be so great.

It's time we developed some more price transparency in health care. I know there are companies trying to create online price comparison databases. That is good, but really every entity should be required to have front-line staff know the prices for every service they offer. That way patients and doctors can make rational decisions about how to get each patient what they need.

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What is the normal price for a chest X ray?

How Much Does a Chest X-ray Cost? Purchase a Chest X-ray today on MDsave. Costs range from $54 to $461. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can save when they buy their procedure upfront through MDsave.

How much is an X

If you don't have insurance, an x-ray will cost somewhere between $100-$1,000. The average x-ray cost is around $260-$460. The price varies by provider, what location you are getting the x-ray, the part of the body needing the x-ray, and how many views need to be taken.

What can a chest X ray diagnose?

Chest X-rays can detect cancer, infection or air collecting in the space around a lung, which can cause the lung to collapse. They can also show chronic lung conditions, such as emphysema or cystic fibrosis, as well as complications related to these conditions. Heart-related lung problems.