X-ray of the wrist Cost by Hospital

X-ray of the wrist is a diagnostic imaging scan. Prices are from 2355 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$273median cash price · 2355 hospitals, 52 statestypically $96–$763 depending on the hospital
≈ 6.4× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$457
Cash / self-pay
$273
Insurer-negotiated
$127
Medicare pays
$43
$96$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 $457 list price could save about $184 (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 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 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 371
$26
$7 – $104
Univera 16
$27
$9 – $48
Amerigroup 171
$49
$25 – $153
Molina Healthcare 571
$53
$17 – $217
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 158
$62
$35 – $493
Highmark 135
$75
$14 – $213
AmeriHealth 234
$80
$14 – $251
Medicare 591
$80
$9 – $127
Tricare / VA 414
$85
$15 – $331
UPMC Health Plan 94
$85
$20 – $365
Geisinger 70
$85
$12 – $400
Anthem 562
$86
$16 – $313
Humana 1037
$87
$33 – $415
SelectHealth 49
$88
$28 – $461
Devoted Health 155
$89
$63 – $160
Centene / Ambetter 811
$91
$18 – $345
UCare 76
$92
$22 – $343
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1301
$102
$18 – $363
MVP Health Care 86
$104
$9 – $474
Priority Health 63
$105
$18 – $323
UnitedHealthcare 1545
$109
$22 – $484
EmblemHealth 67
$117
$13 – $264
Independent Health 37
$118
$12 – $256
Harvard Pilgrim 57
$128
$22 – $417
Aetna 1441
$131
$32 – $608
Bright Health 41
$135
$91 – $917
Kaiser Permanente 204
$136
$29 – $527
Oscar Health 159
$138
$37 – $238
Cigna 1176
$153
$50 – $745
Medica 251
$165
$58 – $416
HealthPartners 269
$179
$22 – $598
Sanford Health Plan 76
$185
$36 – $380
Security Health Plan 64
$192
$40 – $400
Health Net 307
$208
$27 – $1,007
Coventry 165
$321
$39 – $857
Healthcare Highways 49
$362
$105 – $682
MultiPlan / PHCS network 859
$413
$72 – $1,351
AvMed 66
$581
$155 – $1,160

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
Michigan$141

Prices by city

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

Prices by state

TexasCaliforniaOhioWisconsinFloridaNew YorkIllinoisPennsylvaniaMinnesotaNorth CarolinaMichiganLouisianaGeorgiaTennesseeIowaMissouriColoradoNebraskaOklahomaArkansasKansasIndianaSouth DakotaKentuckyVirginiaArizonaNew JerseyMarylandWashingtonMississippiWest VirginiaMaineMassachusettsAlabamaSouth CarolinaOregonMontanaNorth DakotaIdahoConnecticutNew MexicoNew HampshireUtahNevadaHawaiiWyomingPuerto RicoVermontDelawareRhode 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
Vikram Mehta, M.D.Hand SurgeryLake Mary, FL1,096
Eric George, M.D.Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryMetairie, LA1,083
David Edelstein, MDOrthopedic SurgeryBrooklyn, NY689
Stephen Putman, MDHand SurgeryMurrells Inlet, SC613
Christos Kosmas, MDDiagnostic RadiologyCleveland, OH580
Marc Dinowitz, M.D.Orthopedic SurgeryGilbert, AZ564
Frank Mullens, M.D.Diagnostic RadiologyColumbia, MO553
Harris Gellman, MDHand SurgeryBoca Raton, FL529
Patrick Holt, M.D., PH.D.Hand SurgerySalisbury, MD518
Roee Rubinstein, M.D.Plastic and Reconstructive SurgeryThousand Oaks, CA517
Robert Goodman, M.D.RheumatologyShreveport, LA506
David Moss, MDOrthopedic SurgeryChevy Chase, MD491

Browse doctors by specialty & city →

Does Medicare cover X-ray of the wrist?

Yes — Medicare generally covers X-ray of the wrist. It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $43. After your annual Part B deductible, you typically owe the 20% coinsurance — roughly $9 — 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 2355 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $273, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $457, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $127, a Medicare rate of about $43. Most cash prices fall between $96 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 2355 US hospitals is $273. Most hospitals fall between $96 and $763. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover X-ray of the wrist?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service (Medicare-approved amount about $43). 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 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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