X-ray of the ribs Cost by Hospital

X-ray of the ribs is a diagnostic imaging scan. Prices are from 2386 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$293median cash price · 2386 hospitals, 52 statestypically $104–$813 depending on the hospital
≈ 7.0× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$494
Cash / self-pay
$293
Insurer-negotiated
$137
Medicare pays
$42
$104$813
Median cash $293  ·  Medicare $42  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $293 — about 7.0× the Medicare rate ($42). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($84).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $494 list price could save about $202 (41%).

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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
Hospital De La Concepcion San German, PR $45 $16 — — 16.2%
California Hospital Medical Center La Los Angeles, CA $45 $93 ★ 2/5 254 min 15.4%
Prosser Memorial Hospital Prosser, WA $46 $20 ★ 3/5 126 min 15.2%
University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down Iowa City, IA $48 $61 ★ 4/5 157 min 15.0%
University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Iowa City, IA $48 $61 ★ 2/5 210 min 13.5%
Western Maryland Regional Medical Center Cumberland, MD $49 $130 ★ 4/5 239 min 13.6%
Jefferson Regional Medical Center Pine Bluff, AR $50 $99 ★ 1/5 200 min 15.3%
Seton Medical Center Harker Heights Harker Heights, TX $50 $263 ★ 4/5 174 min 16.3%
McLaren Flint Flint, MI $50 $57 ★ 2/5 186 min 16.0%
Estes Park Medical Center Estes Park, CO $51 $56 — — 14.9%
Memorial Hospital Dumas, TX $54 $50 — 82 min 15.5%
Rochester General Hospital Rochester, NY $55 $21 ★ 2/5 237 min 15.8%
Tift Regional Medical Center Tifton, GA $56 $92 ★ 3/5 252 min 15.7%
Southwell Medical, a Campus of Trmc Adel, GA $56 $87 — — 15.0%
Acadia General Hospital Crowley, LA $56 $80 ★ 3/5 108 min 15.4%
McLaren Bay Region Bay City, MI $56 $49 ★ 1/5 170 min 16.3%
St Charles Parish Hospital Luling, LA $56 $94 — 117 min 15.2%
Ochsner Medical Center Acute New Orleans, LA $56 $98 ★ 4/5 168 min 16.2%
Hutchinson Health Hutchinson, MN $57 $101 ★ 3/5 140 min 15.2%
Bleckley Memorial Hospital Cochran, GA $57 $92 — 125 min 14.9%
Fallon Medical Complex Hospital Baker, MT $57 $86 — 92 min 15.2%
Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital Grand Rapids, MN $57 $89 ★ 4/5 154 min 14.4%
Cordova Community Medical Center Cordova, AK $58 — — 127 min —
Citizens Memorial Hospital Bolivar, MO $58 $96 ★ 3/5 185 min 14.6%
Pratt Regional Medical Center Pratt, KS $58 $87 ★ 4/5 99 min 14.2%

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 August 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 ribs

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: $293; Medicare pays $42.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Medicaid 367
$28
$10 – $113
Univera 16
$30
$11 – $50
Amerigroup 176
$42
$20 – $131
Independent Health 37
$46
$12 – $210
Highmark 136
$50
$19 – $196
Geisinger 73
$55
$16 – $394
Molina Healthcare 585
$57
$20 – $228
Medicare 591
$76
$13 – $134
Anthem 602
$76
$19 – $306
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 159
$79
$36 – $528
AmeriHealth 241
$85
$16 – $255
MVP Health Care 86
$87
$15 – $392
SelectHealth 49
$87
$29 – $363
Priority Health 63
$88
$19 – $326
Tricare / VA 434
$92
$19 – $297
Humana 1087
$94
$31 – $395
UPMC Health Plan 111
$99
$23 – $393
Centene / Ambetter 814
$101
$23 – $293
Devoted Health 179
$102
$68 – $202
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1338
$103
$22 – $426
UCare 76
$109
$22 – $434
Harvard Pilgrim 59
$111
$28 – $509
UnitedHealthcare 1586
$118
$24 – $481
EmblemHealth 66
$126
$18 – $303
Aetna 1473
$131
$31 – $617
Oscar Health 160
$138
$28 – $265
Kaiser Permanente 241
$146
$33 – $642
Cigna 1208
$148
$47 – $673
Bright Health 41
$155
$88 – $1,110
HealthPartners 285
$160
$25 – $591
Security Health Plan 66
$193
$28 – $501
Medica 258
$207
$38 – $695
Sanford Health Plan 83
$209
$36 – $526
Health Net 339
$250
$32 – $1,250
Coventry 168
$290
$42 – $831
Healthcare Highways 51
$347
$117 – $699
MultiPlan / PHCS network 905
$408
$69 – $1,304
AvMed 66
$626
$105 – $1,387

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$42
Arkansas$111
Tennessee$134
Mississippi$138
New Jersey$148
Arizona$162

Prices by city

Chicago, ILPhiladelphia, PABaltimore, MDAustin, TXDallas, TXNew York, NYLos Angeles, CASacramento, CABrooklyn, NYCincinnati, OHFort Worth, TXOklahoma City, OKBaton Rouge, LABronx, NYCharlotte, NCCleveland, OHHouston, TXKansas City, MONashville, TNNew Orleans, LASaint Louis, MOAlbuquerque, NMBirmingham, ALLittle Rock, AR

Prices by state

CaliforniaTexasOhioWisconsinNew YorkIllinoisFloridaPennsylvaniaMinnesotaNorth CarolinaMichiganLouisianaGeorgiaIowaTennesseeMissouriColoradoNebraskaOklahomaArkansasKansasIndianaSouth DakotaKentuckyVirginiaArizonaMarylandNew JerseyWashingtonMassachusettsMississippiWest VirginiaMaineAlabamaSouth CarolinaNorth DakotaMontanaOregonIdahoConnecticutNew HampshireUtahNevadaNew MexicoPuerto RicoHawaiiWyomingVermontDelawareRhode IslandAlaskaWashington DC

Doctors who perform this

Clinicians who reported the most Medicare volume for this service. This reflects Original Medicare activity only and is a volume signal, not a quality ranking.

ClinicianSpecialtyLocationMedicare services
Edward Burak, MDDiagnostic RadiologyMillburn, NJ54
Stephen Conte, DODiagnostic RadiologyRochelle Park, NJ35
Richard Rosenberg, M.D.Diagnostic RadiologyLindenhurst, NY23
Leora Carter, MLP/NPNurse PractitionerYuma, AZ12
Alan Hall, M.D.Family PracticeHudson Oaks, TX12

Browse doctors by specialty & city →

Does Medicare cover X-ray of the ribs?

Yes — Medicare generally covers X-ray of the ribs. It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $42. After your annual Part B deductible, you typically owe the 20% coinsurance — roughly $8 — unless a Medicare Advantage or supplemental (Medigap) plan covers it.

General guidance from Medicare’s national rates — your actual coverage and share depend on medical necessity, your plan, and where the service is performed. Confirm with Medicare or your plan.

About these prices

Based on prices published by 2386 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $293, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $494, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $137, a Medicare rate of about $42. Most cash prices fall between $104 and $813 — 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 ribs cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2386 US hospitals is $293. Most hospitals fall between $104 and $813. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover X-ray of the ribs?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service (Medicare-approved amount about $42). After your Part B deductible you typically owe 20% coinsurance, unless a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan covers it.
What does Medicare pay for X-ray of the ribs?
Medicare pays about $42. 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 ribs 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.

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