X-ray of the neck (cervical spine) (3 views) Cost

X-ray of the neck (cervical spine) (3 views) is a diagnostic imaging scan. Prices are from 2356 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$274median cash price · 2356 hospitals, 52 statestypically $91–$757 depending on the hospital
≈ 6.9× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$466
Cash / self-pay
$274
Insurer-negotiated
$124
Medicare pays
$40
$91$757
Median cash $274  ·  Medicare $40  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $274 — about 6.9× the Medicare rate ($40). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($80).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $466 list price could save about $192 (41%).

Estimate what you’ll pay
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Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.

Lowest cash prices

HospitalLocationCashInsurerCMS ratingER waitReadmit
Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital Saint Louis Park, MN $42 $89 ★ 3/5 252 min 15.4%
Mount Desert Island Hospital Bar Harbor, ME $42 $29 — 130 min 14.6%
Ochsner Laird Hospital Union, MS $43 $47 — 101 min 15.4%
Ochsner Scott Regional Morton, MS $45 $43 — 79 min 14.9%
Hospital De La Concepcion San German, PR $45 $12 — — 16.2%
Cordova Community Medical Center Cordova, AK $46 — — 127 min —
University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down Iowa City, IA $46 $58 ★ 4/5 157 min 15.0%
University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Iowa City, IA $46 $58 ★ 2/5 210 min 13.5%
Ochsner Choctaw General Butler, AL $46 $43 — 121 min —
Northwest Hills Surgical Hospital Austin, TX $47 $40 — — 14.4%
Jefferson Health-Northeast Philadelphia, PA $48 $15 ★ 2/5 290 min 15.4%
Ochsner Watkins Hospital Quitman, MS $48 $46 — 85 min 15.1%
Johnson Regional Medical Center Clarksville, AR $48 $40 ★ 4/5 144 min 15.5%
Ochsner Stennis Memorial Hospital De Kalb, MS $49 $45 — 91 min 14.9%
Fallon Medical Complex Hospital Baker, MT $50 $64 — 92 min 15.2%
Williamson Memorial Inc Williamson, WV $51 $21 — — —
McLaren Caro Region Caro, MI $51 $13 — 70 min —
McLaren Thumb Region Bad Axe, MI $52 $14 ★ 5/5 118 min 14.2%
Heritage Valley Beaver Beaver, PA $52 $84 ★ 3/5 185 min 14.5%
Heritage Valley Sewickley Sewickley, PA $52 $84 ★ 4/5 132 min 15.1%
Peacehealth Cottage Grove Community Medical Center Cottage Grove, OR $52 — — 121 min 14.9%
Banner North Colorado Medical Center Greeley, CO $54 $130 ★ 4/5 145 min 14.6%
Banner North Co Medical Center-Loveland Campus Loveland, CO $54 $130 ★ 3/5 142 min 14.3%
Ochsner Medical Center Acute New Orleans, LA $54 $81 ★ 4/5 168 min 16.2%
St Clair Hospital Pittsburgh, PA $54 $102 ★ 4/5 195 min 15.5%

CMS rating = overall hospital star rating (1–5); ER wait = median minutes in the emergency department; Readmit = 30-day readmission rate (lower is better) — all from Medicare’s Care Compare; “—” = not reported. Data last updated June 2026. Prices from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); Medicare benchmark from CMS PFS/CLFS/IPPS. Prices below 15% of the median are excluded as likely partial or mis-coded charges. Estimates — confirm with the hospital. Report an incorrect price.

What insurers pay for X-ray of the neck (cervical spine) (3 views)

Median in-network negotiated rate by insurer, across hospitals that publish it (cheapest first). Your actual rate depends on your specific plan and deductible. Cash / self-pay for comparison: $274; Medicare pays $40.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Medicaid 361
$24
$8 – $104
Univera 16
$29
$9 – $46
Amerigroup 173
$40
$24 – $115
Medicare 594
$41
$10 – $123
Independent Health 36
$41
$11 – $179
Highmark 135
$45
$13 – $175
Molina Healthcare 562
$61
$20 – $249
Anthem 580
$66
$17 – $266
Geisinger 72
$77
$15 – $328
MVP Health Care 87
$79
$12 – $352
Tricare / VA 431
$82
$11 – $249
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 159
$85
$34 – $381
Humana 1070
$85
$30 – $414
AmeriHealth 228
$85
$15 – $235
SelectHealth 48
$86
$27 – $322
Priority Health 63
$87
$16 – $299
UPMC Health Plan 99
$87
$24 – $212
Devoted Health 166
$88
$62 – $108
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1328
$89
$17 – $374
Centene / Ambetter 804
$89
$22 – $392
UCare 73
$92
$21 – $367
Harvard Pilgrim 59
$99
$28 – $397
UnitedHealthcare 1559
$101
$23 – $468
EmblemHealth 67
$109
$15 – $260
Oscar Health 149
$111
$23 – $243
Bright Health 41
$123
$93 – $778
Aetna 1446
$123
$30 – $520
Kaiser Permanente 239
$123
$29 – $519
Cigna 1188
$136
$44 – $541
HealthPartners 279
$144
$22 – $426
Medica 254
$196
$33 – $496
Security Health Plan 63
$199
$35 – $407
Sanford Health Plan 83
$207
$35 – $443
Coventry 163
$285
$38 – $773
Healthcare Highways 51
$316
$96 – $554
Health Net 337
$320
$29 – $793
MultiPlan / PHCS network 883
$420
$59 – $951
AvMed 64
$577
$160 – $1,342

Negotiated rates are from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); payer names are normalized to major brands, so a brand may span several plans. Estimates — confirm with your insurer.

Where it’s cheapest

StateMedian cash
Puerto Rico$31
Rhode Island$94
Arkansas$113
Tennessee$119
Mississippi$119
New Jersey$138

Prices by city

Chicago, ILPhiladelphia, PABaltimore, MDAustin, TXHouston, TXDallas, TXNew York, NYCincinnati, OHLos Angeles, CASacramento, CABrooklyn, NYFort Worth, TXKansas City, MOOklahoma City, OKBaton Rouge, LABronx, NYCharlotte, NCNashville, TNOmaha, NESaint Louis, MOAlbuquerque, NMBirmingham, ALLittle Rock, ARMilwaukee, WI

Prices by state

TexasCaliforniaOhioNew YorkIllinoisWisconsinFloridaPennsylvaniaMinnesotaNorth CarolinaMichiganLouisianaGeorgiaTennesseeIowaMissouriNebraskaColoradoOklahomaArkansasKansasIndianaKentuckyVirginiaSouth DakotaMarylandWashingtonArizonaNew JerseyMassachusettsMississippiWest VirginiaMaineAlabamaSouth CarolinaNorth DakotaMontanaOregonIdahoNew HampshireUtahConnecticutNevadaNew MexicoPuerto RicoHawaiiWyomingVermontDelawareRhode IslandAlaskaWashington DC

About these prices

Based on prices published by 2356 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $274, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $466, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $124, a Medicare rate of about $40. Most cash prices fall between $91 and $757 — a wide spread, which is exactly why comparing hospitals pays off.

How to save

  • Ask each hospital for its cash / self-pay price — for shoppable services it is often far below the list price.
  • Compare several nearby hospitals; prices for the same service can differ severalfold.
  • Request a written estimate and the billing code (CPT/DRG) before scheduling.
  • Use the Medicare benchmark above to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
  • If you are uninsured, ask about financial assistance or prompt-pay discounts.

Frequently asked questions

How much does X-ray of the neck (cervical spine) (3 views) cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2356 US hospitals is $274. Most hospitals fall between $91 and $757. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
What does Medicare pay for X-ray of the neck (cervical spine) (3 views)?
Medicare pays about $40. We show this as a benchmark — a fair cash price is often within a few multiples of the Medicare rate.
Why do X-ray of the neck (cervical spine) (3 views) prices vary between hospitals?
Hospitals set their own chargemaster and cash prices and negotiate different rates with each insurer, so two hospitals in the same area can charge very differently for the same service.
Is the cash price lower than using insurance?
Sometimes. If you are uninsured or have a high deductible, the cash/self-pay price can be lower than the insurer-negotiated rate — ask the hospital for both.

Related Imaging & Radiology

Chest X-rayChest X-ray (2 views)X-ray of the neck (cervical spine)X-ray of the pelvisChest X-ray (1 view)X-ray of the lower back (lumbar spine)Abdominal ultrasoundX-ray of the lower back (lumbar spine) (2 views)

See more Imaging & Radiology.