Chest X-Ray Cost

How Much Does a Chest X-Ray Cost?

With Health Insurance: $10-$50 Copay or 10%-50% Coinsurance

Without Health Insurance: $200-$400+

Chest X-rays can be used to determine the cause of symptoms, such as pain or shortness of breath, as well as for diagnosis and treatment of pneumonia, lung cancer and other problems. Risks include exposure to radiation and possible harm to the fetus in a pregnant patient.

Typical costs:

A chest 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 $10-$50 or coinsurance of about 10% to 50%.
For patients not covered by health insurance, a chest X-ray typically costs about $200-$400 or more, with an average of $370, according to NewChoiceHealth.com^[1] . Cost depends on the provider and the number of views taken. For example, at Marietta Memorial Hospital^[2] in Ohio, a chest X-ray with two views costs about $200. At Berger Health System^[3] in Ohio, a one-view chest X-ray costs $203 and a two-view, $250. At Saint Elizabeth Regional Medical Center^[4] in Nebraska, a chest X-ray costs $207 for a single, frontal view; $295 for two views, frontal and lateral; and $331 for special views such as lateral decubitus. And at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center^[5] in New Hampshire, a chest X-ray with two views costs about $290 after the uninsured discount.

Related articles: X-Ray, Health Insurance

What should be included:

The technologist typically asks the patient to stand directly in front of an image recording plate, then activates the machine, which emits X-rays that pass through the body and create an image on an image plate. In some cases, the technologist will reposition the patient and take more X-rays from another view.
Later, a radiologist^[6] , 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.
RadiologyInfo.org has an overview^[7] of chest X-rays.

Additional costs:

Depending on the results of the X-ray, the doctor might order additional X-rays or tests.

Discounts:

Some clinics offer X-ray services. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services offers a locator^[8] 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 a chest 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^[9] .
The hospital or imaging center typically will have a radiologist to interpret X-rays. The radiologist should be board-certified by the American Board of Radiology.
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^[10] .
RadiologyInfo.org offers a primer^[11] on safety, radiation exposure and X-rays.

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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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments

Chest X-ray

Amount: $186.36

Posted by: Mark Z in Webster, TX.	Posted: September 29th, 2019 01:09PM
Number of Views: 2 views	Medical Center: Clear Lake Medical Center

The total cost was $1191.00 My insurance co. paid $1004.64.It is outrageous. All this is for 3 minutes in front of the X-ray machine. No wonder, health insurance costs so much. Insurance companies do not care.