 | With Health Insurance: $10-$50 Copay or 10%-50% Coinsurance |
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 | Without Health Insurance: $200-$400+ |
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| Bone X-rays can be used to provide more information before orthopedic surgery, such as repair of a broken bone or spinal fusion. Risks include exposure to radiation and possible harm to the fetus in a pregnant patient. | | |
| Typical costs: | - A bone X-ray typically is covered by health insurance. For patients covered by health insurance, out-of-pocket costs typically consist of nothing, if the plan covers X-rays in full, or a copay of between $10 and $50 or coinsurance of about 10 to 50 percent.
- For patients without health insurance, a bone X-ray typically costs about $200 -$400 or more, depending on the provider, the part of the body being X-rayed, and the number of views taken. According to NewChoiceHealth.com, the national average cost for a hand or ankle X-ray is $180, for a knee X-ray $200, for a spine X-ray $280, and for a pelvis X-ray $350. For example, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire charges about $258 for a foot X-ray and $253 for a spine X-ray after the uninsured discount. Akron General in Ohio charges $244 for a single-view spine X-ray, $256 for a single-view pelvis X-ray, $278 for a two-view tibia/fibula X-ray, $290 for a three-view wrist X-ray, $293 for a three-view hand X-ray, $299 for a three-view foot X-ray, $378 for a complete series of X-rays of the lumbosacral spine, and $401 for a four-or-more-view X-ray of the knee. Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical center in Nebraska charges $277 for a two-view X-ray of the femur, $284 for a three-view X-ray of the ankle, $282 for a two-view X-ray of the hip, $305 for a three-view X-ray of the foot, $322 for a two-plus view X-ray of the shoulder, $353 for a three-view X-ray of the lower spine and $395 for a four-plus view X-ray of the knee.
What should be included: | - The technologist will operate the machine, which emits X-rays that pass through the area of the body being X-rayed and create an image on an image recording plate or film. In some cases, the technologist will reposition the patient and take more X-rays from a different view.
- Later, the radiologist or orthopedic surgeon can consult the X-ray when planning the surgery.
- RadiologyInfo.org has an overview of bone X-rays.
Additional costs: | - Follow-up X-rays might be required after the orthopedic surgery.
Discounts: | - Some clinics offer X-ray services. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a locator for clinics that provide discounted care on a sliding scale based on income.
- Many imaging centers and hospitals offer a discount of up to 30% or more for cash-paying patients.
Shopping for a bone x-ray: | - A family doctor or orthopedic surgeon can make a referral to a hospital or imaging center. Or, the American College of Radiology offers a list of accredited imaging facilities.
- Any woman who is or could be pregnant should discuss risks with her doctor when considering an X-ray. RadiologyInfo.org has information about X-rays and pregnancy.
- RadiologyInfo.org offers a primer on safety, radiation exposure and X-rays.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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Article updated June 2011 |
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