If you’ve ever had an X-ray, you already know that health care costs are daunting, especially if you have no insurance or your insurance doesn’t cover all the costs. Although X-rays are standard, and medically necessary diagnostics, most individuals have to pay quite a bit in out-of-pocket expenses. This article will walk you through what you need to know about the cost of an X-ray without health insurance, how the price works, how to save money and which plans are out there for you.
What Is an X-ray?
Before we go into the costs, let’s go over briefly what an X-ray is and why we use it. A medical scan of the inside of the body called an X-ray is made by using radiation. It’s used to look at bones, to see fractures, or to diagnose lung diseases such as pneumonia, or teeth. X-rays are used by doctors to determine many health issues quickly and can often be used as a primary diagnostic.
What Is The Cost Of An X-Ray If You Don’t Have Health Insurance?
It also varies a lot by what type of X-ray you require, at which facility, and where the test takes place. But if you don’t have insurance or you have high-deductible coverage, know these so you can make more informed decisions.
The national average price for a simple X-ray is about $279, according to MDsave, an uninsured patient price-search site. This is normally per organ i.e., chest or limb X-ray. Remember that prices vary depending on other factors like complexity, number of images, and type of facility that is doing the procedure.
Factors & Variants in an X-ray Without Insurance Costs of an X-ray Without Insurance?
A number of things factor into the price you’ll pay for an X-ray if you don’t have health insurance:
1. Type of Facility
Where you get the X-ray done makes a difference in price. Diagnostic imaging will cost more in hospitals than at a standalone imaging center or private clinic. You might pay $100-$400 for a simple X-ray at an imaging centre, say, but that same service might cost $500-$1,000 or more at a hospital due to overhead and facility fees.
2. Body Part and Complexity
It’s not just the part of the body that determines the price. It could be a chest X-ray, or it could be an advanced imaging scan like a CT scan or MRI. The most basic X-ray of a limb or chest might run around $200-300, and then that could add up with more views or parts of the body.
a chest X-ray, for instance, might run between $250 and $350 (in the absence of insurance) and more complicated exams (a spine X-ray, or a joint X-ray, say) can cost between $500 and $800 (depending on complexity and image count).
3. Geographic Location
Cost of X-ray is also subject to change by the region. The higher the living costs in the cities or areas the higher the medical expenses. Depending on where you live, you might pay a bit more than if you’re in a big city. An X-ray in New York City or San Francisco, for instance, could run more than one in a town or a rural setting.
4. The Number of Views
For some X-rays (such as those of joints or bones), you might need more than one exposure to see the whole picture. There are more views or angles, but the more radiation, and the more images to read, the more expensive. A regular X-ray of a limb could run $100 to $200, and an X-ray with multiple views could be $100 to $300 more.
5. Additional Fees
Then, besides the X-ray, there may be other charges, such as the reading and interpretation of the images by a radiologist (about $50- $200 per scan). If your doctor has to review the X-rays or see a specialist, that may also raise your bill.
Insurance for X-ray Cost: Types Of Examples.
Some typical prices for various X-rays, by type, across the country:
Chest X-ray: $150 to $450
X-ray of extremity (limb): $100-$400
Dental X-ray: $50 to $200
Spine X-ray: $250 to $800
Abdominal X-ray: $150 to $500
Multi-body X-ray: $400-$1,000 Complex X-ray (Multiple Body parts)
Disclaimer: These prices are indicative and can be subject to change due to the factors discussed above.
When You Should Buy X-rays On Your Own How to Avoid X-rays Without Insurance.
You can reduce your X-ray bill by these tips for those of you without health insurance:
1. Use Price Transparency Tools
Sites such as MDsave, which will allow you to search for the same provider and the same X-ray, etc. MDsave also has upfront pricing so you won’t be left with unanticipated costs later. There are price comparisons that also work for other cities, which can help you check prices and see what the lowest price is for your city.
2. Just think of Outpatient Clinics or Imaging Centres.
The prices of standalone imaging centres are often less than hospitals because they don’t have as much overhead. Search around for diagnostic imaging centres or outpatient clinics that offer the service.
3. Negotiate with Providers
And if you need an X-ray and you don’t have insurance, make sure to ask if they offer any cash-payment or self-pay discount. Many doctors and hospitals will accommodate uninsured patients at reduced prices or with plans for payment so the expenses are less costly.
4. Ask About Payment Plans
You can take advantage of payment plans at some imaging centres where you can amortize the X-ray. This is especially useful if you are unable to pay it all upfront.
5. Check for Local Assistance Programs
You can get financial support or sliding-scale rates from some community health programs or nonprofit organizations if you are uninsured and need medical imaging. You can also receive free X-rays from your local health department or non-profit hospital for people who don’t have insurance.
Final Thoughts
An X-ray without health insurance can be daunting, but you can still manage it. Depending on the kind of X-ray and where it’s taken, costs range between $100 and $1,000. You can get a better deal using MDsave, comparison shopping, and negotiating directly with providers. Whether you need a chest X-ray or something more involved, by researching and getting to know the prices you can save yourself big dollars.
The next time you need an X-ray and you don’t have insurance, never be afraid to ask questions, shop around, and consider alternative options. You’re worth something and you can have care, given the right tools, at a cost you can afford.
