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CostHelper > Health & Personal Care  > Tests, X-Rays & Imaging > Chest X-Ray

Chest X-Ray Cost

How Much Does a Chest X-Ray Cost?
 
average costWith Health Insurance: $10-$50 Copay or 10%-50% Coinsurancehigh costWithout Health Insurance: $200-$400+
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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 viewsMedical 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.
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Chest X-ray
Amount: $102.16
Posted by: a user in Madison, WI.Posted: July 30th, 2018 09:07AM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: UW Health
X-ray ($73), Clinic ($114), Radiology ($208). Total after insurance = $102.16
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Livid Pharmacy Student
Amount: $500.00
Posted by: Morgan G in Denver, CO.Posted: June 1st, 2018 04:06AM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: University of Colorado Hospital(UCH)
Waited for 20-30 minutes. Spent less than 3 minutes in the X-ray room. I just struggle to comprehend how they do not give any warning of fees like this. I realize they do not have claim information from insurance at that time, but I'd walk out if I knew they would bill insurance for $600. I've previously paid out of pocket for various X rays, and it's always been <$100
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Chest X-ray
Amount: $566.50
Posted by: xiaolin76 in Rockwall, TX.Posted: December 15th, 2017 08:12AM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: TX HEALTH ROCKWALL
Chest X-ray to determine pneumonia in a young child.
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Chest X-ray
Amount: $616.50
Posted by: fed up in Houston, TX.Posted: July 23rd, 2017 08:07AM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: Memorial Herman
They billed insurance 616.50. Insurance paid 195.20.
MH billed me for 48.80. The bill does not say anything about x-ray or results it just says you owe us 48.80. Well until I get some kind of results on how the x-ray turned out I will not pay any more. I am fed up with getting bills that say you owe us with no explanation.
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CHEST X-RAY
Amount: $913.81
Posted by: outofusernames in Melbourne, FL.Posted: April 14th, 2017 12:04PM
Number of Views: 1Medical Center: HOSP. EMER. ROOM
Am having a medical bill audit. Definitely overcharged.
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Chest xray Exam 2 Views
Amount: $1,118.00
Posted by: Heather O in Gulf Shores, AL.Posted: October 27th, 2016 07:10AM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: Baldwin Medical Center
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Chest x-ray
Amount: $120.00
Posted by: anna marie in Carrollton, GA.Posted: July 22nd, 2016 05:07AM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: US MedClinic
Carrollton, GA.
good service. affordable. no additional radiologist doctor fees
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Chest X-ray at Kaiser permanente
Amount: $705.00
Posted by: Marina Y. in San rafael, CA.Posted: July 5th, 2016 08:07PM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: Kaiser Permanente
I didn't have to pay for the X-ray, have insurance. This did not include the office visit. Had a bad cough. Office visit was $183, prescribed medicine $80. Spent about 3 minutes in the X-ray room and about 10 minutes with my doctor. I was shocked to see that the total cost was over $900. The cough disappeared a week later using some simple cough syrup, Never used the prescribed medicine.
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Chest X Ray NJ
Amount: $334.30
Posted by: noNameNoProblem in Long Branch, NJ.Posted: July 31st, 2015 06:07AM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: Monmouth Medical
Chest X-ray due allergic reaction to PPD test. I have the insurance but I didn't pay towards my $500 deductible yet. I had no idea it will be so expensive otherwise I would shop around first.
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x-rays
Amount: $145.00
Posted by: rayp in applevalley, CA.Posted: July 22nd, 2015 04:07PM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: beverly radiolgy
i did not paid this bill because i did not get the results or the dr i had did not have them. and i feel services was not rendered my insurance pd 80 percent i owe 20 percent and they are not going to get it due to no service rendered
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Chest x-ray
Amount: $865.28
Posted by: Sheepdog in Victoria, TX.Posted: April 13th, 2015 07:04AM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: Detar Medical Center
This was for a two view after going to my physician for a cold and cough. Detar was polite enough to put me on a payment plan. I am insured through Boon Chapman but had not paid toward my deductible this fiscal year. Thank goodness for insurance! This thread show a trend of costs...
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Chest Xray
Amount: $605.45
Posted by: a user in Waukegan, IL.Posted: November 17th, 2014 12:11AM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: SwedishAmerican Hospital
This Chest Xray was done because of an allergy to the TB test. The cost is after insurance payment. THIS IS WAY OUT OF LINE.
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Chest X-ray
Amount: $635.00
Posted by: Bugdlt in Hudson, WI.Posted: May 3rd, 2013 03:05PM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: Hudson Hospital
The original charge was $3150. Insurance paid for all but $635 for a side view and a front view. I made an appointment with my GP so it wasn't an ER visit. It took about 10 min to have the x-rays. So they are charging $31/minute. Avoid!
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Chest x-ray
Amount: $331.00
Posted by: scooter in Bellevue, WA.Posted: February 20th, 2013 08:02AM
Number of Views: 1Medical Center: Overlake Hospital
Chest xray to determine pneumonia. United Healthcare didn't pay any as it fell under our $1k deductible. Insurance company wouldn't tell me what their reimbursement rate for an in network facility is but I am sure it is much less that what I have to pay.
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Chest X-ray
Amount: $407.00
Posted by: CathyP in Winnemucca, NV.Posted: January 15th, 2013 11:01AM
Number of Views: 2Medical Center: Humboldt General Hospital
Avoid this facility if possible, they just remodeled and I believe they are trying to pay for it thru there charges. I went to walk in clinic, waited for 30 min, spent 5 min with the doc and got charged 141.00 Also beware of 95% of the doctors, go to Battle Mountain instead.
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External Resources:
  1.  www.newchoicehealth.com/Directory/Procedure/77/Chest%20X-Ray
  2.  www.mmhospital.org/?id=152&sid=1
  3.  www.bergerhealth.com/resources-a-links/patient-price-list
  4.  tp.chi.acelogicus.net/nese/Default.aspx
  5.  patients.dartmouth-hitchcock.org/billing_questions/out_of_pocket_estimator_dhmc.ht...
  6.  www.radiologyinfo.org/en/careers/index.cfm?pg=diagcareer
  7.  www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?pg=chestrad
  8.  findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov/Search_HCC.aspx
  9.  www.acr.org/Quality-Safety/Accreditation/Accredited-Facility-Search
  10.  www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_xray#part6
  11.  www.radiologyinfo.org/en/safety/index.cfm?pg=sfty_xray
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