Chest X-ray Cost in Chattanooga, TN

How much does a chest x-ray cost without insurance in Chattanooga?

Cash prices for a two-view chest X-ray (HCPCS 71046) in Chattanooga are $19.54 at Erlanger Baroness, $203.36 at CHI Memorial Hixson, $290.61 at CHI Memorial Chattanooga, and $1,031.89 at both Parkridge East and Parkridge Medical Center. The overall range is $19.54 to $1,031.89. Only one code is listed in this dataset, so there is no variant comparison. These amounts are facility fees, meaning the hospital's charge for the room, equipment, and staff. Physician or professional fees, such as a radiologist's interpretation, are billed separately and are not included in these figures.

Why is the gross charge so much higher than the cash price?

The gross charge, also called the chargemaster price, is a hospital's full list price before any discounts or negotiated rates. Almost no one pays it. Cash prices are set well below gross at some hospitals: 53% of gross at Erlanger Baroness ($19.54 of $37), 30% at CHI Memorial Hixson ($203.36 of $687), and 42% at CHI Memorial Chattanooga ($290.61 of $687). The Parkridge hospitals set cash price at 100% of their $1,031.89 gross charge. CHI Memorial Hixson gives the largest percentage discount, but its cash price is still higher than Erlanger Baroness because it starts from a higher gross charge.

Does insurance cover a chest x-ray?

Coverage depends on the specific plan and on whether the exam meets the plan's medical necessity criteria. Negotiated rates for this code vary widely across 1,529 payer rates, from $10.05 to $908.06. Some plans require prior authorization for non-emergency imaging; requirements vary by insurer. If you are on a high-deductible plan and have not met your deductible, you owe the negotiated rate for the service, not the gross charge.

Are there additional fees beyond the chest x-ray facility charge?

Yes. The figures on this page are facility fees only, covering the hospital's room, equipment, and technologist staff. For imaging procedures like a chest X-ray, a radiologist typically interprets the images and bills a separate professional reading fee. That fee is not included in the prices above, and no dollar amount for it appears in the source data. If the X-ray is performed in an emergency department, a separate ER facility fee is also billed. Any other physician or provider services connected to the visit may also be billed separately.

What is the cash price for a chest x-ray at CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson?

CHI Memorial Hospital Hixson lists a cash price of $203.36 for CPT 71046, Chest X-ray, 2 Views. That is 30% of its $687 gross charge. This is a facility charge only, so it does not include separate fees such as a radiologist's reading. The $203.36 figure is the lowest cash price on this page.

Which Chattanooga hospital has the highest published chest x-ray price?

Parkridge East Hospital lists the highest price on this page at $1,031.89, which is both its gross charge and its cash price for 71046. Parkridge Medical Center shows the same $1,031.89 figure. Both amounts are facility charges only, and neither hospital publishes a self-pay discount below gross for this code.

What does BCBS pay for a chest x-ray at Parkridge Medical Center in Chattanooga?

The payer table for Parkridge Medical Center lists BCBS NetworkS rates for 71046 starting at $12.22, the lowest entry among 194 published rates. Rates from Beech Street and Prime Health reach $908.06. These are facility rates only, and the amount a patient owes depends on their individual plan.

What is the difference between cash price and gross charge for chest x-rays in Chattanooga?

At the two CHI Memorial hospitals, 71046 has a $687 gross charge, with cash prices of $290.61 in Chattanooga and $203.36 in Hixson. At Parkridge East Hospital and Parkridge Medical Center, cash equals the $1,031.89 gross charge, so no self-pay discount is published. All figures are facility charges only.

How much do insured chest x-ray rates vary at CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga?

CHI Memorial Hospital Chattanooga publishes insured rates for 71046 from $21.40 to $480.90, depending on the payer and plan. Its cash price is $290.61 and its gross charge is $687. All of these are facility charges only, and no figure on this row is missing or listed as $0.