A chest X-ray is the simplest imaging procedure in medicine. It takes three minutes. The price difference in Tampa, billed to the same insurer, can be $500. Most people have no idea this variation exists.
This is the most shoppable imaging procedure there is
A chest X-ray requires a machine, a technician, and a radiologist to read it. Every hospital and imaging center has these. The clinical quality is the same everywhere.
If your doctor orders a chest X-ray for a pre-operative clearance, annual physical follow-up, or non-urgent evaluation, you can go anywhere that is in-network. Hospital outpatient departments are the most expensive option. An urgent care center or freestanding imaging center is usually the cheapest.
The radiologist reads it and bills separately
The facility fee covers the equipment and technician. The radiologist who reads the film bills a professional fee separately.
At hospital outpatient departments, the radiology group may be a separate contracted entity. Confirm they are in-network. At freestanding imaging centers, the read is typically included in the quoted price.
ER chest X-rays are bundled differently
If you get a chest X-ray during an ER visit, the X-ray fee is typically rolled into the ER visit facility fee rather than billed separately.
If you see a separate imaging charge on an ER bill, review your EOB carefully. ER facilities sometimes bill imaging separately in addition to the facility fee, which can be disputed.