Chest X-ray Cost in Gainesville, FL

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

Without insurance, the cash price for a two-view chest X-ray (HCPCS 71046) is $198 at UF Health Shands, $561.20 at HCA Gainesville, and $561.20 at HCA North Florida. The overall range is $198 to $561.20, a difference of $363.20. All three hospitals list the same single code, so there is no code variant difference to compare. These amounts are facility fees, which cover the hospital's room, equipment, and staff. Physician and professional fees, such as the 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 standard list price before any discounts or negotiated rates. Almost no one pays it. At UF Health Shands, the cash price of $198 is 55% of the $360 gross charge. At HCA Gainesville and HCA North Florida, cash equals the $561.20 gross charge, a ratio of 100%. UF Health Shands applies a larger percentage discount, but the HCA hospitals begin from a higher gross charge, so the dollar gap between their cash prices and UF Health Shands remains $363.20.

Does insurance cover a chest x-ray?

Coverage depends on the specific plan, its benefits, and whether the service is considered medically necessary. Negotiated rates for this code vary widely: $39.15 to $324 at UF Health Shands, $161.63 to $252.54 at HCA Gainesville, and $67.34 to $561.20 at HCA North Florida. Some plans require prior authorization for non-emergency imaging, which is determined by the insurer. If you are on a high-deductible plan and have not met your deductible, you owe the negotiated rate for your plan, not the gross charge, until the deductible is satisfied.

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

Yes. The facility fee covers the hospital's room, equipment, and technologist. A radiologist, the physician who reads and interprets the image, typically bills a separate professional fee. That fee is not included in the prices listed here, and no dollar amount for it appears in the source data. If the X-ray is performed in the emergency department, a separate ER facility fee is also billed. Each of these charges may be handled differently by insurers, and the amounts depend on the provider and the plan.

What is the cash price for a chest x-ray at UF Health Shands Hospital?

UF Health Shands Hospital lists a cash price of $198 for CPT 71046, a chest x-ray with 2 views. That is 55% of its $360 gross charge. This is a facility charge only and does not include any separate professional or radiologist fees.

Which Gainesville hospital has the lowest published chest x-ray price?

UF Health Shands Hospital has the lowest published cash price on this page at $198 for code 71046. Its lowest insured rate is $39.15. All figures are facility charges only. All 3 Gainesville hospitals listed have a published cash price, so no cash data is missing.

What is the highest chest x-ray price in Gainesville, FL?

The highest published price is $561.20 for code 71046. HCA Florida Gainesville Hospital and HCA Florida North Florida Hospital both list this as their gross charge and their cash price, so no self-pay discount is published at either. The figure covers the facility charge only.

What does UnitedHealthcare pay for a chest x-ray in Gainesville?

For UnitedHealthcare, published chest x-ray rates in Gainesville run from $39.15 at UF Health Shands Hospital to $252.54 at HCA Florida North Florida Hospital. The median is $182.03 across 3 hospitals, and the highest is about 6x the lowest. These are facility charges only.

What does CPT 71046 mean on a chest x-ray bill?

CPT 71046 is the billing code for a chest x-ray with 2 views, and it is the only code on this Gainesville page. All 3 hospitals list it. For example, HCA Florida Gainesville Hospital shows insured rates from $161.63 to $252.54. These are facility charges only, not professional fees.