X-ray of the mid-back (thoracic spine) Cost

X-ray of the mid-back (thoracic spine) is a diagnostic imaging scan. Prices are from 2397 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$291median cash price · 2397 hospitals, 52 statestypically $104–$747 depending on the hospital
≈ 8.1× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$493
Cash / self-pay
$291
Insurer-negotiated
$135
Medicare pays
$36
$104$747
Median cash $291  ·  Medicare $36  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $291 — about 8.1× the Medicare rate ($36). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($72).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $493 list price could save about $202 (41%).

Estimate what you’ll pay
Quick fill:

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
Memorial Hospital Dumas, TX $45 $50 — 81 min —
Southwest General Health Center Middleburg Heights, OH $45 $223 ★ 4/5 199 min —
Hospital De La Concepcion San German, PR $45 $15 — — —
Fallon Medical Complex Hospital Baker, MT $46 $63 — 102 min —
University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center Down Iowa City, IA $46 $58 ★ 4/5 149 min —
University of Iowa Hospital & Clinics Iowa City, IA $46 $58 ★ 2/5 210 min —
Sabine Medical Center Many, LA $47 $35 — 129 min —
Conway Medical Center Conway, SC $47 $21 ★ 2/5 134 min —
Williamson Memorial Inc Williamson, WV $48 $20 — — —
Cordova Community Medical Center Cordova, AK $49 — — 130 min —
Hutchinson Health Hutchinson, MN $50 $105 ★ 3/5 140 min —
Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital Grand Rapids, MN $51 $91 ★ 4/5 149 min —
McLaren Caro Region Caro, MI $52 $13 — 72 min —
University of Illinois Hospital and Clinics Chicago, IL $52 $41 ★ 4/5 298 min —
Ochsner Choctaw General Butler, AL $52 $47 — 119 min —
McLaren Northern Michigan Petoskey, MI $53 $58 ★ 3/5 157 min —
King's Daughters Medical Center-Brookhaven Brookhaven, MS $55 $130 ★ 3/5 140 min —
Southwell Medical, a Campus of Trmc Adel, GA $56 $95 — — —
Ochsner St Mary Morgan City, LA $57 $97 ★ 2/5 89 min —
Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport-St Mary Medical Cent Shreveport, LA $57 $97 ★ 2/5 — —
McLaren Flint Flint, MI $57 $58 ★ 2/5 178 min —
NYU Langone Hospitals New York, NY $57 $126 ★ 5/5 203 min —
Northwest Hills Surgical Hospital Austin, TX $58 $39 — — —
Ochsner Medical Center Acute New Orleans, LA $58 $98 ★ 4/5 174 min —
Leonard J Chabert Medical Center Houma, LA $58 $82 ★ 3/5 126 min —

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 October 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 mid-back (thoracic spine)

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: $291; Medicare pays $36.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Medicaid 371
$24
$8 – $98
Univera 16
$27
$9 – $39
Independent Health 37
$34
$10 – $214
Medicare 604
$38
$10 – $139
Amerigroup 176
$39
$17 – $141
Highmark 142
$40
$13 – $196
Geisinger 75
$50
$16 – $394
Molina Healthcare 589
$51
$18 – $218
Anthem 622
$62
$15 – $284
AmeriHealth 246
$64
$15 – $225
MVP Health Care 88
$68
$12 – $374
Priority Health 62
$76
$15 – $323
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 160
$82
$33 – $385
SelectHealth 48
$83
$25 – $287
Harvard Pilgrim 58
$92
$23 – $474
Humana 1104
$96
$26 – $396
Tricare / VA 439
$97
$10 – $260
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1347
$98
$17 – $417
UPMC Health Plan 115
$102
$25 – $393
Centene / Ambetter 827
$102
$20 – $302
Devoted Health 182
$107
$73 – $131
UCare 77
$109
$20 – $407
UnitedHealthcare 1611
$119
$22 – $453
Aetna 1501
$123
$26 – $577
EmblemHealth 82
$126
$22 – $238
Oscar Health 176
$141
$23 – $265
Kaiser Permanente 244
$141
$28 – $576
Cigna 1244
$145
$40 – $597
HealthPartners 286
$146
$22 – $529
Bright Health 41
$151
$28 – $926
Security Health Plan 66
$181
$25 – $609
Medica 259
$196
$30 – $537
Health Net 338
$214
$25 – $1,113
Sanford Health Plan 85
$222
$32 – $487
Coventry 170
$317
$36 – $828
Healthcare Highways 51
$372
$114 – $661
MultiPlan / PHCS network 924
$413
$55 – $1,112
AvMed 68
$478
$111 – $1,075

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
Mississippi$110
Puerto Rico$112
Arkansas$113
Tennessee$116
New Jersey$142
Alabama$144

Prices by city

Chicago, ILPhiladelphia, PABaltimore, MDAustin, TXDallas, TXNew York, NYLos Angeles, CASacramento, CABrooklyn, NYCincinnati, OHFort Worth, TXKansas City, MOOklahoma City, OKBaton Rouge, LABronx, NYCharlotte, NCCleveland, OHHouston, TXNashville, TNNew Orleans, LAOmaha, NESaint Louis, MOAlbuquerque, NMBirmingham, AL

Prices by state

CaliforniaTexasOhioWisconsinPennsylvaniaNew YorkFloridaIllinoisMinnesotaMichiganNorth CarolinaLouisianaGeorgiaTennesseeIowaMissouriColoradoNebraskaOklahomaArkansasKansasIndianaSouth DakotaKentuckyVirginiaArizonaMarylandWashingtonNew JerseyMississippiMassachusettsMaineAlabamaWest VirginiaSouth CarolinaNorth DakotaOregonMontanaIdahoConnecticutNew HampshireNevadaUtahNew MexicoPuerto RicoHawaiiWyomingVermontDelawareAlaskaRhode IslandWashington DC

Does Medicare cover X-ray of the mid-back (thoracic spine)?

Yes — Medicare generally covers X-ray of the mid-back (thoracic spine). It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $36. After your annual Part B deductible, you typically owe the 20% coinsurance — roughly $7 — 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 2397 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $291, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $493, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $135, a Medicare rate of about $36. Most cash prices fall between $104 and $747 — 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 mid-back (thoracic spine) cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2397 US hospitals is $291. Most hospitals fall between $104 and $747. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover X-ray of the mid-back (thoracic spine)?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service (Medicare-approved amount about $36). 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 mid-back (thoracic spine)?
Medicare pays about $36. 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 mid-back (thoracic spine) 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-rayX-ray of the neck (cervical spine) (3 views)Chest X-ray (2 views)X-ray of the lower back (lumbar spine)X-ray of the pelvisX-ray of the neck (cervical spine)Chest X-ray (1 view)Abdominal ultrasound

See more Imaging & Radiology.