X-ray of the wrist Cost by Hospital

X-ray of the wrist is a diagnostic imaging scan. Prices are from 2308 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$273median cash price · 2308 hospitals, 52 statestypically $95–$763 depending on the hospital
≈ 6.4× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$456
Cash / self-pay
$273
Insurer-negotiated
$127
Medicare pays
$43
$95$763
Median cash $273  ·  Medicare $43  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $273 — about 6.4× the Medicare rate ($43). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($86).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $456 list price could save about $183 (40%).

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
University of Texas Medical Branch Galveston Galveston, TX $41 $53 ★ 3/5 191 min 16.0%
Bayamon Medical Center Bayamon, PR $41 $33 — 285 min 15.8%
McLaren Caro Region Caro, MI $42 $10 — 70 min —
Coffey County Hospital Burlington, KS $45 — ★ 4/5 89 min 14.7%
Sabine Medical Center Many, LA $45 $136 — 128 min 15.4%
Hospital De La Concepcion San German, PR $47 $16 — — 16.2%
Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital Saint Louis Park, MN $47 $89 ★ 3/5 252 min 15.4%
Cordova Community Medical Center Cordova, AK $48 — — 127 min —
Johnson Regional Medical Center Clarksville, AR $48 $41 ★ 4/5 144 min 15.5%
Conway Medical Center Conway, SC $49 $23 ★ 2/5 134 min 15.6%
South Central Reg Med Ctr Laurel, MS $50 $91 ★ 1/5 129 min 16.9%
Jefferson Health-Northeast Philadelphia, PA $51 $12 ★ 2/5 290 min 15.4%
Northwest Hills Surgical Hospital Austin, TX $52 $41 — — 14.4%
Fallon Medical Complex Hospital Baker, MT $53 $66 — 92 min 15.2%
Heritage Valley Beaver Beaver, PA $53 $84 ★ 3/5 185 min 14.5%
Heritage Valley Sewickley Sewickley, PA $53 $84 ★ 4/5 132 min 15.1%
Ochsner Medical Center Acute New Orleans, LA $53 $81 ★ 4/5 168 min 16.2%
Three Rivers Hospital Brewster, WA $54 — — — 15.1%
Wayne County Hospital Monticello, KY $55 — — — —
Citizens Memorial Hospital Bolivar, MO $55 $93 ★ 3/5 185 min 14.6%
Eisenhower Medical Center Rancho Mirage, CA $55 $112 ★ 4/5 259 min 14.8%
Baptist Health Medical Center-Arkadelphia Arkadelphia, AR $57 $86 — 95 min 15.2%
Ochsner American Legion Hospital Jennings, LA $57 $122 ★ 2/5 104 min 15.3%
Baptist Health Medical Center Heber Springs Heber Springs, AR $57 $86 ★ 3/5 115 min 15.2%
Pratt Regional Medical Center Pratt, KS $59 $85 ★ 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 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 wrist

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: $273; Medicare pays $43.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Medicaid 366
$26
$7 – $104
Univera 16
$27
$9 – $48
Amerigroup 168
$49
$25 – $154
Molina Healthcare 547
$53
$17 – $217
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 158
$62
$35 – $493
Highmark 135
$75
$14 – $213
Medicare 589
$80
$9 – $127
Tricare / VA 409
$85
$16 – $331
UPMC Health Plan 82
$85
$19 – $366
AmeriHealth 221
$85
$13 – $257
Geisinger 70
$85
$12 – $400
Anthem 537
$86
$16 – $306
Humana 1009
$87
$33 – $413
SelectHealth 49
$88
$28 – $461
Devoted Health 143
$90
$63 – $160
Centene / Ambetter 805
$91
$18 – $345
UCare 72
$92
$22 – $342
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1286
$102
$18 – $363
MVP Health Care 86
$104
$9 – $474
Priority Health 63
$105
$18 – $323
UnitedHealthcare 1512
$110
$22 – $488
EmblemHealth 67
$117
$13 – $264
Oscar Health 145
$124
$37 – $264
Independent Health 36
$127
$12 – $256
Harvard Pilgrim 57
$128
$22 – $417
Aetna 1409
$132
$33 – $612
Bright Health 41
$135
$91 – $917
Kaiser Permanente 203
$136
$30 – $530
Cigna 1145
$153
$51 – $745
Medica 248
$167
$56 – $417
HealthPartners 261
$176
$22 – $598
Sanford Health Plan 76
$185
$36 – $380
Security Health Plan 61
$189
$37 – $400
Health Net 305
$208
$28 – $1,011
Coventry 161
$309
$39 – $859
Healthcare Highways 49
$362
$105 – $682
MultiPlan / PHCS network 833
$414
$72 – $1,366
AvMed 64
$614
$177 – $1,162

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$41
Rhode Island$90
Tennessee$106
Mississippi$107
Arkansas$114
Arizona$127

Prices by city

Chicago, ILPhiladelphia, PABaltimore, MDAustin, TXHouston, TXDallas, TXNew York, NYCincinnati, OHKansas City, MOLos Angeles, CAOklahoma City, OKBaton Rouge, LABronx, NYBrooklyn, NYCharlotte, NCFort Worth, TXNew Orleans, LASacramento, CASaint Louis, MOAlbuquerque, NMBirmingham, ALLittle Rock, ARMilwaukee, WINashville, TN

Prices by state

TexasCaliforniaOhioNew YorkIllinoisFloridaWisconsinPennsylvaniaMinnesotaNorth CarolinaMichiganLouisianaGeorgiaTennesseeIowaMissouriColoradoNebraskaOklahomaArkansasKansasIndianaSouth DakotaVirginiaKentuckyNew JerseyMarylandArizonaWashingtonMississippiWest VirginiaMaineMassachusettsAlabamaSouth CarolinaMontanaNorth DakotaIdahoOregonNew MexicoNew HampshireUtahConnecticutNevadaHawaiiWyomingPuerto RicoVermontDelawareRhode IslandAlaskaWashington DC

About these prices

Based on prices published by 2308 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $273, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $456, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $127, a Medicare rate of about $43. Most cash prices fall between $95 and $763 — 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 wrist cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2308 US hospitals is $273. Most hospitals fall between $95 and $763. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
What does Medicare pay for X-ray of the wrist?
Medicare pays about $43. 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 wrist 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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