Chest X-ray Cost in Melbourne-Palm Bay, FL

How much does a chest x-ray cost without insurance in Melbourne-Palm Bay?

Without insurance, the listed cash price for a chest X-ray with two views (HCPCS 71046) is $140.50 at Cape Canaveral Hospital, Holmes Regional, Palm Bay Hospital, and Viera Hospital. That makes the overall range a single figure, $140.50 to $140.50, with no difference between hospitals. Only one code applies, so there are no code variants to compare. These amounts reflect the facility fee, which covers the room, equipment, and staff. Physician and professional fees, such as the radiologist's interpretation, are billed separately and are not included in the cash price.

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

The gross charge, or chargemaster price, is a hospital's full list price before any discounts. It serves as a starting point for negotiations with insurers and for setting cash rates, and almost no one pays it. For code 71046, all four hospitals list a gross charge of $562 and a cash price of $140.50. That means cash is 25% of gross at each one, a 75% discount. Because the gross charges are identical, there is no case where a larger percentage discount still produces a higher cash price. The gross charge also sits below the highest negotiated rate of $652.

Does insurance cover a chest x-ray?

Coverage depends on the specific plan and on whether the service is considered medically necessary. Negotiated rates for this code vary widely: across 180 payer rates, they run from $28.68 to $652. Examples include $30.18 for a Health First Health Plan Medicare rate and $652 for a Florida Blue Commercial PPO rate. Some plans require prior authorization for non-emergency imaging, and requirements differ by insurer. For those on high-deductible plans who have not met their deductible, the amount owed is the negotiated rate for that plan, not the $562 gross charge. After the deductible is met, cost-sharing depends on plan terms.

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

Yes. The prices listed are facility fees, which cover the hospital's room, equipment, and technologist staff. For imaging such as a chest X-ray, the radiologist who reads and interprets the images typically bills a separate professional fee. That fee is not included in the facility price, and no dollar amount for it appears in the source data. If the X-ray is performed in the emergency department, a separate emergency department facility fee may also apply, along with any physician charges from that visit. Each of these charges is billed separately from the amounts shown for code 71046.

What is the cash price for a chest x-ray at Palm Bay Hospital?

Palm Bay Hospital publishes a cash price of $140.50 for CPT 71046, Chest X-ray, 2 Views, against a gross charge of $562. The cash price is 25% of gross. This is the facility charge only and does not include any separate professional fees. The page shows a cash price for all 4 hospitals.

What are the lowest and highest insured rates for a chest x-ray in Melbourne, FL?

Across the Melbourne-Palm Bay hospitals on this page, insured rates for code 71046 run from $28.68 at Viera Hospital to $652 at Cape Canaveral Hospital. These are facility charges only. Rates differ by insurer and plan, so the figure that applies depends on the specific plan.

How much does Aetna pay for a chest x-ray at Viera Hospital?

For code 71046, the page shows Aetna rates from $37.37 at Cape Canaveral Hospital to $618.20 at Viera Hospital. The Aetna median across the 4 hospitals is $533.90. These are facility charges only, and the exact rate depends on the specific Aetna plan.

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

CPT 71046 is the billing code for Chest X-ray, 2 Views, and it is the only code on this page. All 4 hospitals list it with a gross charge of $562 and a cash price of $140.50. These figures are facility charges only. A separate bill for other services would carry its own charges.

How do Health First hospitals in Palm Bay and Melbourne price a chest x-ray?

Palm Bay Hospital, Holmes Regional Medical Center, Cape Canaveral Hospital and Viera Hospital are all in the Health First system. Each lists a gross charge of $562 and a cash price of $140.50 for code 71046. Insured rates run from $28.68 to $652. All figures are facility charges only.