X-ray, pelvis
Facility: Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 72170 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 72170
- Insurance Median: $870
- Cash Discount Price: $186
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.15x 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 $106.81 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 815% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 715%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri | $870 | 815% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa, offers an X-ray of the pelvis with a cash median price of $186. This facility, a government-owned Critical Access Hospital, has a negotiated rate of $870, which is significantly higher than the cash price. While the median paid amount for this service is $87, the facility's rating is 4, indicating a high level of quality. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $106.81, and the comparison to Medicare shows a rate of 8.1. Patients should note that cash payments can sometimes be cheaper than insurance negotiated rates, especially for those with high-deductible plans.
For patients considering payment options, it is important to ask the hospital about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling the procedure. These discounts can reduce the final cost if paid in full upfront, bypassing the administrative overhead associated with insurance billing. Since the negotiated rate of $870 is substantially higher than the cash price of $186, patients with high deductibles might find that paying out-of-pocket is more economical. Always verify the exact allowed amount with the hospital before check-in to ensure you are classified correctly for self-pay rates.