COMMENTS
My wife's hospital charged $705 for a front/side chest x-ray, and insurance only paid $67. We then received a bill from the hospital for $461. Are these charges cosidered reasonable for out-patient services?
Hi Steve,
The charges and allowed amount ($67) are typical - but the hospital is trying to bill you a portion of the remainder, which is called "balanced billing". In some states this is illegal. You should contact your insurance company to clarify.
Make sure and call your insurance company whenever a doctor asks you to get Xrays. I had my middle back Xrayed and it cost $1,045!
A 2 view will be appx. $200. If your going an emergency room that price will range from $300 to $1000.
I had a chest X-ray at the Heart of Florida Hospital in Jan. 2010. The bill for this service was $688.00. Is this reasonable?
My mother had neck x ray at university hospitals and she
got bill for $1200 it`s a rip off,
insurance just paid $80
In India, it cost Rs 210, which means less than 5$, for a chest X-ray.
Guys I got my knee x-ray done at stanford medical hospital and they charged me 1200. after the discounts (contract) for the insurance, it ended up at 770 out of which my insurance paid 0, as it is subject to deductible.
careful i must say
Is outrageous how exorbitant the prices for even the most simple medicine in the usa is horrible the way people allow the goverment to abuse them!!! I see more sickness here than in ANY third world country .. I feel so sorry for the naive masses
Yup I was just billed $1,954 for about 8 x-rays (NOT including the radiologists fees which were quite reasonable). US healthcare is hugely overpriced for this relatively simple and should be cheap technology.
how much would it cost to x ray my broken knuckle and get a cast ?
Steve,
X-ray prices vary but you really shouldn't pay more than about $100. I wish I had some figures for a cast and the follow up. You may need to give a local orthopedic surgeon a call for a quote.
Just received the bill today - the hospital charged $547.01 for a chest X-ray. This does not include the radiology fee, which I agree was reasonable. The X-ray was adjusted for going to an in-network provider so I am supposed to pay $262.56 for something that took 5 minute's time from the technician and another 5 minutes from the admitting person. I know X-ray equipment is expensive but this is almost as much as my MRI! Ridiculous!
Hey my name is Lisa, I have a question about the price on x-rays I have been having pains by my ribs and my back. My fiance thinks its my kidney or pulled a muscle and it is swollen. Please write back thank you
i wanna know how much an x-ray report tb screening cost?
i'm living in boston. next year i wanna go to new zerland and i need an x-ray for the visa.
do you know a cheap hospital?
thanks!
Hi Lisa,
If you're paying out of pocket you shouldn't pay more than $100 for an xray. But ultimately it will depend on where you are and what local facilities are available. Call in advance and ask for a price quote.
Nadia,
Avoid going to a hospital as they will overcharge you. Look for a local imaging center and get a price quote in advance. This shouldn't cost more than $100.
Anybody reading these posts should understand how terrible our healthcare system is especially regarding billing. Stay away from hospital testing whenever possible as they can charge about 5 times as much for testing!
Hospitals and all healthcare facilities incur losses due to some customers/patients may not have health insurance and cannot afford to pay the private fee charges. In fact these institutions charge more if you dont have insurance. Because they have to swallow these losses they increase the charges for all their services. The more they increase their charges the more the people are not able to pay. Therefore it is a viscious cycle. People dont look after their health, they misuse their body, taking drugs, alcohol. Obesity is number one enemy. They eat too much and sleep too much and end up in the hospital with no money in their pockets and the staff have to clean their poop. Imagine that. Useless piece of human bodies. Only physically grown.
my doctor requested an x-ray of my back and hip and i need to know if i have to up front or wait for the bill to come in.
Ashley,
If you're uninsured nearly all facilities will ask for payment upfront.
Hi my name is Kevin and I got my right knee hurt in an accident. I want to do a x-ray on that part. Do anyone know if I can just do the walk-in to the imaging center without doctors' referral? and how much would that cost without insurance? I am living in California. Hope someone can help. Thanks in advance.
Kevin,
You need a doctor's order to get an x-ray.
Just had my left foot xrayed at a walk in clinic from multicare with no insurance, and had to pay 100 up front,. I am hoping I won't get billed to much. Can't afford high prices.
$408 negotiated charge for knee x-ray, not counting radiologist. All subject to deductible.
Beaufort Memorial Hospital in Beaufort, South Carolina (non-profit, county subsidized facility with low acuity level of patients) charged $441.00 for outpatient facility xray of hand - two views. Outrageous facility with cost to charge ratio that would make your head spin and 200+% charge over costs (Profit!)
A couple weeks ago, I had an emergency; I was choking of a not so well chewed piece of steak. I could still breathe, but swallowing was impossible. I went to the ER against my better judgement. They shot me up with some kind of muscle relaxer, then took x-rays. The thing passed after an hour or two (most of which I was completely alone and spittin ginto a cup so as not to vomit), I saw the doctor twice, had no exchanged words with the radiologist. I got the bill the other day: $2700.00. I'm requesting the break down of cost now, but good freakin lord! Even with insurance, I'm certain about 2 grand will come out of pocket. The radiol even had to retake a couple of times because he kept screwing up. Well, it's a good thing I got to pay for it. Next time I'll just wait the damn thing out. By the way, I live in California, so this should almost come as no surprise.
I am living a small town, and i heard about X ray chest check in hospital around 3000USD. I am foreigner,my neck was hurt when i was working out....even hurt can't sleep
My son had pneumonia and needed 3 chest x-rays to see what his progress was. The hospital in south Orange County charged $131 each time we went. We assumed that this was the cost of the x-ray. We just received a bill for $241/visit (a total of over $700). This seems exorbitant. Any suggestions of what to do? The hospital would only reduce our bill by 10% if we paid in 5 days or less. They stated they wrote off over $200 per visit and the rest went to toward our high deductible.
Google for "Universal health care", in Wikipedia there is a long comparison list of countries that have sort of free health care,...seems US is the only country that a sick person can go bankrupt because of sickness! These comments here show that you can be robbed by highly educated people with degrees too !...isn't this shameful and disgusting ?!
All of these comments coming from people who don't have a clue about all of the millions of people they never see who they ARE paying for...illegal immigrants, those who bum the system, and those who flee with no intention of paying.
Highly educated staff, equipment, and liability insurance are not free.
And I feel for anyone in UK who don't meet criteria to be brought via ambulance to the hospital for chest pain to be treated. Liberals always think it is free. Look at how much you paid in taxes the last year Englishman!
I empathize for individuals who have to pay such high costs out of pocket for health care. I also think about how this contributes to such a vicious cycle in terms of a patient's health: If a patient can't afford treatment/examination, they may put it off resulting in the condition possibly getting much worse and more complex. It's amazing how many things can be treated more easily if diagnosed early enough.
As someone who works in medicine in Canada, I am really proud of our healthcare system. It's not perfect and does cost a lot because of our large geography and isolated rural areas, but it does much more for patients than a private system would.
It's unfortunate that Trav has such a negative view of universal healthcare. It's also unfortunate that he believes that it's immigrants and impoverished persons who are responsible for the high prices in healthcare (when that is not the case at all). Also, does he not believe everyone (even the poorest person) is entitled to healthcare?
He's right in saying that healthcare isn't free in Canada & other areas where we have universal healthcare. But if you look at the statistics you'll also see that we have a healthier population and a much, much lower number of individuals who go bankrupt because of healthcare costs. I am proud to pay my taxes, especially if it is helping others in my country get back on their feet.
However, if you don't care about others or their health and want to take a purely selfish viewpoint on this issue, it's easy to argue that universal healthcare can be implemented because of self-interest. By making sure the citizens of your country are healthy, you're reducing their stress, reducing sick times, reducing bankruptcy, reducing stress/pressure placed on family/friends, reducing further long-term more complex challenges in healthcare (which are very costly)....all of this contributes to a much stronger country overall creating greater economic prosperity and success, which means that on the individual level, you will do much better.
While that’s not my viewpoint on healthcare, it is a good argument for those that would rather focus on the individual than the collective good.
My son had a chest x-ray at Carolina Pines in Hartsville, SC. The cost for the chext x-ray was $484.56. UNBELIEVABLE!
A few months ago I went in to an orthopaedic sugeon to check out my knee which was having some problems at the time. He sent me to get x-rays in radiology in the same building (Central Utah Medical Clinic), which were included in the co-pay I paid him. They took about three different x-rays or my knee and my shoulder.
Just a couple of months ago, I went to a chiropractor who sent me to the regional hospital here in Provo, UT and they charged me my co-pay when I was there. They took about three x-rays of my back. Then I found out insurance paid 55.13 of the bill and I was left paying the rest of the $169.87.
I don't think I will be going back to the Utah Regional Medical Center for x-rays.
Dave,
Was the Utah facility in your health plan's network? If so, check into this as many states and insurance companies don't allow what is called "balance billing" - charging the patient for the balance the insurance doesn't pay.
just go to mexico, mexicali baja california its a good place, or monterrey fo people living in texas, but even better if you go all the way to jalisco, this things there are cheap and good cuality health care.
I am a US MD. I agree medical costs are outrageous. I had to give up private practice several years ago because I couldn't afford private health premiums for my family. Now employed by a hospital I only pay 1/8 of what I did pay. Unfortunately I now have to answer to "bean counters" who say I don't see enough patients. I give patients the time needed for their problem.
I was quite disolusioned to graduate med school and find out this was a business. I really don't understand how anyone affords medical care unless you make 250,000 or more (I don't)
While MDs get blamed for running the cost of medicine the real problem falls in durable medical equipment. Drugs, Hospital beds,IV poles, X-ray/MRI machines etc. etc. etc.
Look at the fancy decorations in new hospitals and clinics.
It is often said we charge people without insurance more....We do BUT it is a figment of how insurance works and how the laws regulating insurance and MDs works.
Typically an insurance limits what they will pay us. That by itself would be fine if reasonable but it works off a sliding scale of sorts.
Lets say they limit payment on something to $50. Fine, but if I bill $50 they only pay $25 which is below my cost. So, I bill $100 for it and get paid $50.
OK fine so I bill an uninsured patient $50...ILLEGAL. The law says I have to bill everyone the same. Equality, a good idea but in this case it creates a situation that people are forced to buy insurance.
Yes I do have some ways around it I cannot let poor people go without care.
Remember, American medical care is by far the most expensive in the world yet we have fallen in quality rank to somewhere around 25th in the world. Now Donald Trump can still get the best in the world!
Wow. I live in Australia.. and it sounds like health is a source of business there!
X-rays for visa here don't even cost that much :(
I'm in awe of the system there :(
I'm an xray tech in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and just xrayed an American citizen who didn't have our provincial healthcare. I xrayed her complete spine (10 images) and she had to pay $147.87 total.
I am from Pakistan, I got Xray of my lower abdomen and neck.They charged me 1200Rs ($15 USD). Well i am really amazed to see that much cost of Xrays in other countries.
Guys, sorry to tell that, but screw US health care prices. Do you know what is your problem- that one idiot started paying such premiums for health insurance, and then everybody followed. Just like the sheep.
private insurance was started by rich folks who wanted poor folks to help them with their medical bills.
think about it: if i've got money galore and i want to keep it to myself i create a system to avoid very expensive health care charges by creating a scheme where others will foot a big part of the bill. sure, they may also get a bargain on health care costs but i get 2 for the price of 1. i get healthy returns on my investments in health ins companies plus i get to divert my medical costs among others.
in regard to 'jalex' comments above i'm afraid he has a very optimistic view of americans, especially wealthy americans. the overriding focus of this group is pure and simple selfishness with some exceptions among the truly gifted and creative.
I am usually a very calm person, but I freak out almost instaneously when some one's sick in my family. The Healthcare in US costs a fortune. I just can't figure out what technology is used for x-raying something for more then $200. Why does two stiches costed $1500 for my daughter?
In Richmond, VA I paid for a 2-view Xray (CPT code 71020) only $29. The facility is owned by doctors, not a hospital.
If you have a choice do not go to a hospital-owned facility (I'm talking outpatient facility) because they will charge you an arm and a leg! Nowadays hospitals own laboratory facilities, imaging services, and doctor offices, so check before you go as their rack rates are astronomical. Ask if they are owned by a hospital.
Nobody pays the the rack rates except the uninsured. I've looked up a bill from last year when I did have insurance and noticed that for lab tests (at an outpatient lab owned by a hospital) the insurance company got a 96% (that's right) discount.
Some facilities may offer up to 35% discount, which means that you would still have to pay 65% of the rack rate. By comparison, an insurance company pays about 25%. This is highway robbery!
In Slovakia (state in the middle of Europe), we have all health services (includimg Xrays, all stomatological services and additional) free!
Everything is paid from our cesses.
I am really scared, when I read how many cost Xray in USA.
I have an order for a hip xray and I'm on a low income card that pays for 90% of the cost of the xray process itself. The radiologist fees are not covered...What kind of price am I looking at?
Amber,
You mentioned low income card. If you mean Medicaid, then they negotiate fees with providers and the fee depends on the state you're in. If you go to a radiology place that is not associated with a hospital then the fee for the radiologist to read your x-ray is included. If you have Medicaid try calling their office and ask them what the fee is for your xray. For hip xray there are 2 different codes: one for hip, 2 view (73510) or hips, bilateral w/AP pelvis (73520).
wow i am a radiographer in the UK (rad tech) and I am shocked at the prices since its free in the uk (tho it costs about £30 for a chest x-ray for private patients) free for the rest !
I received a bill from my local hospital for a routine colonoscopy which was thousands of dollars.Needless to say I was totally freaked out and let them know how upset I was. However I decided to get even. I made very small payments routinely, like clockwork, every month. No matter how small the payment, as long as you make an effort, they can't touch you legally. I have been making payments for over 3 years and will cont. for 2 more. Granted I would rather not pay at all since it is highway robbery, but this is workable for me and they have to wait a long,long time to get their money. Take that you dirty, rotten, medical scoundrels!
I went to ER in Miami in early June had injured my left forearm. I had an xray with 3 views. Iwas given no injections no drugs no prescriptions. The fore arm was not broken just badly bruised and a small 3inch cut which did not require any stitches. They cleaned the cut and applied some ointment wrapped in gauze. I just got the bill haha,$2800.00 The insurance paid $700..00. So I pay2100 for a bruised arm. Over 3hours in the ER our system is beyond broken. I have insurance and this is what I have to pay what's the point of ins. I am requesting the breakdown,this will probably take weeks.
My foot xray cost $600. I wonder how they come up with $50. to $200. in the artical.
I recently went to the ER because I was feverish and could not swallow - neither food, nor water. I had not been able to eat for 4 days, and could barely drink. I was dehydrated and weak. I got 2 x-rays, am asthma treatment, an IV antibiotic treatment, a couple of blood and lab tests. The doctor spent a total of 20 minutes with me. The bill was $6748.00. Granted, I was treated properly and responded overnight to the antibiotic, but holy cow. Then there was the additional $125.00 for the follow-up prescription meds. A few days ago I got another bill from the radiologist, apparently they were outsourced. I was also told by customer service to expect a Dr. bill as well. So looks like the cost is going to be even higher. Oh, and I am both unemployed AND uninsured!
for the x ray advised by the doctor why cant you go for govt. hospital for it. its very cheaper only Rs.30 in town and might be 50 in city.
Just came back from France, had a chest Xray there- they took me right away, facilities were much modern than any medical offices I went in the US, talked to the doctor after the Xrays and PAID $35 for the whole thing!!!!!!!!! In the US I paid $300 co-payment with my BlueCross/Blue Shielld of Florida rip-off insurance. Also why is it that the same medication I take is $15 in Europe and $100 in the US??? Oh yeah, because pharmaceutical companies can rip us off here!!!!
Wake up America! You'll die of neglect 'cause nobody cares.
Front and side view chest X-rays at St Francis in Greenville, SC ran over $600 - high deductible insurance dropped out of pocket costs to $366. Had mammogram done at the same time. Mammograms (insurance covers 100%) used higher tech equipment and more views - cost before insurance discount was $220!
I live in England, and despite the many things the US does right, medical care is not one of them.
No matter what your prescription is here, it is something like £7.95 from any pharmacy and the doctor's appointment is free.
Not technically free as the NHS is funded through tax, but we pay nothing when we go, so everyone is covered. I am a capitalist in general, but believe emergency services should be socialised completely.
I was shocked when I read that you can be charged for a fireman call out!!
I have been quoted $50 for a chest x-ray at Workwell in Salinas, $99 at Doctors on Duty in Seaside, and $370 at CHOMP (Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula)in Monterey. My insurance will pay 80%. If I calculate gasoline costs driving to Salinas, my best bet is at Doctors on Duty. Hospitals, apparently, are
gouging us, which is where the healthcare dialogue should go in the political arena. Regulations, anybody?
I just got an x-ray done in canada... it was free.
I had two chest x-ray views for $550 for outpatient services at Saddleback Memorial Medical Center in California. It's way too expensive or exorbitant compared to other countries. What is wrong with the US medical billing system?
In the Philippines, a chest x-ray for 2 views (front/side) would cost around 200-250 pesos. That's equivalent to $4 or $5.
It's horrible how extravagantly enormous (and unreasonable) x-ray fees are in the United States. Is there anything being done about this? Because honestly, US x-ray fees, based on the comments I read above, and based from my experience, are lavishly expensive and it seems that hospitals are not transparent about these x-ray prices. Patients are in for a shock and awe once they receive their x-ray bills.