X-Ray Cost

Typical costs:

• X-rays typically are 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 $10-$50 or coinsurance of about 10%-50%.
• For patients without health insurance, X-rays typically cost about $100-$1,000 or more. On average, X-rays cost $260-$460, varying by provider and geographic location, according to NewChoiceHealth.com^[1] . Actual X-ray cost depends on the provider, the part of the body being X-rayed, and the number of views taken. According to NewChoiceHealth.com, the average cost for a finger X-ray is $100, for a hand $180, for a wrist $190, for a knee $200, for a thigh $280, for a pelvis $350, for a chest $370, and for a full body $1,100. The average cost for more specialized X-rays, such as those of various arteries, veins or ducts in the body, can reach $20,000 to $30,000 or more. Berger Health System in Ohio offers a price list^[2] for X-rays that ranges from $203 for a one-view chest X-ray to $536 for a series of abdominal X-rays. Baptist Memorial Health Care in Memphis offers a price tool that estimates the cost of a hand X-ray at $95, a two-view wrist X-ray at $142, a collar bone X-ray at $147, a three-view knee X-ray at $179, a lower spine X-ray at $349, and a hip X-ray at $463; and an artery X-ray at $26,161 per vessel.

• The technologist will activate 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 another view.
• Later, a radiologist^[3] , a physician who specializes in imaging, will interpret the images and send a report to and/or confer with the physician who ordered the X-ray.

• Depending on the results of the X-ray, the doctor might order additional tests, which could include an MRI, or a CT scan, which could cost $1,000 -$3,000 or more, or other tests.

• Some clinics offer X-ray services. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a locator^[4] 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. For example, Park Nicollet Health Services in Minnesota offers a discount of about 40% on medically necessary services, including X-rays, to self-pay patients with a gross family income of less than $125,000.

• A family doctor or specialist can make a referral to a hospital or imaging center. Or, the American College of Radiology offers a list of accredited imaging facilities^[5] .
• 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^[6] .
• RadiologyInfo.org offers a primer^[7] on safety, radiation exposure and X-rays.

1.  www.newchoicehealth.com/X-Ray-Cost
2.  www.bergerhealth.com/resources-a-links/patient-price-list
3.  www.radiologyinfo.org/en/careers/index.cfm?pg=diagcareer
4.  findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
5.  www.acr.org/Quality-Safety/Accreditation/Accredited-Facility-Search
6.  www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_xray#part6
7.  www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_xray

Check Out All Costs for Health & Personal Care		How Much Does Growing Medical Marijuana Outdoors Cost?		How Much Do Crutches Cost?		How Much Do Eyeglasses Cost?

Today's Featured Cost Articles

Wondering what a trip to the Winter Olympics in Sochi would cost? What would a personal trainer cost to reach those New Years goals? It's the New Year. Looking for a gym membership to keep to that resolution? 25 States are reporting widespread flu. It's not too late for a flu shot. Snowmagedodon has landed. Here's information on clearing snow.

About CostHelper

CostHelper is based in Silicon Valley and provides consumers with unbiased price information about thousands of goods and services. Our writers are experienced journalists who adhere to our strict editorial ethics policy.

CostHelper Community

zoster vaccine Paid: 307.00 PRICE SHOCKING1 HOWEVER, JUST DISCOVERED SHOT MAY BECOVERED UNDER MEDICARE PART D…WILL APPLY FOR ATLEAST A PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENT... [more] -R S S McKOSKY Shingles Vaccine Cost Pay now or later Paid: 0.00 To those that say they will take their chances - you WILL regret it. I thought I never had chicken pox but I did get shingles (have them now). You would be glad to pay $500 to avoid shingles... [more] -Dr Larry Shingles Vaccine Cost Goodman HP & propane dual fuel furnace Paid: 2500.00 A/C companies are really ripping off people. We bought a high SEER unit for $1267.00 - 5 ton unit folks. Yea, we have been builders for 20+ years, so we knew kind of what we were doing. But this was our FIRST install... [more] -Ranger Rick-Ohio Heat Pump Cost Treatment for metastatic ovarian cancer Paid: 1072.82 Recently diagnosed with metastatic ovarian cancer. Drugs being administered are Avastin, Gemzar and Carboplatin. The most recent statement has the original cost of one session at $30,045.79. Health paid $ 2,503 and I will pay 1,072... [more] -Dnvdeb Chemotherapy Cost I an getting porcelian tile install Paid: 1200.00 porcelain tiles I am having porcelain tiles installed in my kitchen which currently has a concrete slab. Am I paying too much for the labor? I am supplying all materials... [more] -Patsy Armstrong Tile Flooring Cost Think Twice Before Getting Veneers... Paid: 14000.00 I had my first set of porcelain veneers done 14 years ago to close the gap in my front teeth (the front four teeth were done to look proportioned)... [more] -Jenna C. Dental Veneers Cost