 | With Health Insurance: $10-$50 Copay or 10%-50% Coinsurance |
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 | Without Health Insurance: $100-$1,000+ |
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| X-rays are used for diagnosis and treatment in a variety of situations -- from dental surgery to broken bones. Risks include exposure to radiation and possible harm to the fetus in a pregnant patient. | | |
| 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. 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 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.
What should be included: | - 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, 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.
Additional costs: | - 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.
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. 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.
Shopping for an x-ray: | - 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.
- 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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