¿Cuánto Cuesta una Radiografía?

An X-ray costs anywhere from $50 at a freestanding clinic to $750+ at a hospital, depending on the body part and facility type. The chest X-ray (CPT 71046) is the single most common diagnostic imaging procedure, with nearly 7 million Medicare services per year and an average submitted charge of $54–$87 depending on the setting. Despite being the cheapest imaging modality, X-ray costs can still surprise patients — especially when hospital facility fee markups inflate the bill well beyond what the image itself costs.

How Much Does an X-Ray Cost by Type?

X-ray pricing varies based on the body region, the number of views taken, and the facility where the study is performed. Here are the most commonly ordered X-rays and their typical costs from CMS data:

• Chest X-ray, 2 views (CPT 71046): The single most common X-ray and the most common diagnostic imaging procedure overall. Used for evaluating pneumonia, heart failure, lung masses, and pre-surgical screening. Nearly 7 million Medicare services per year with an average submitted charge of $54 (facility) to $87 (office setting). Its high volume and low cost make it a cornerstone of diagnostic medicine.
• Hand/wrist X-ray (CPT 73130): Commonly ordered for fracture evaluation after falls or injuries. Average submitted charges typically range from $60–$80. One of the most frequent X-rays in urgent care and emergency settings.
• Foot X-ray (CPT 73630): Used to evaluate sprains, fractures, and stress injuries. Average submitted charges typically range from $60–$80. Frequently ordered alongside ankle X-rays when the injury location is uncertain.
• Knee X-ray (CPT 73562): Common for injury evaluation and arthritis assessment. Average submitted charges typically range from $65–$85. Often the first imaging step before an MRI is considered.
• Spine X-ray, lumbar (CPT 72110): Used for back pain evaluation, spinal alignment assessment, and post-injury screening. Average submitted charges range from $80–$120. Lumbar spine X-rays involve more views than extremity X-rays, which accounts for the higher cost.
• Shoulder X-ray (CPT 73030): Ordered for injury evaluation, rotator cuff assessment, and arthritis workup. Average submitted charges typically range from $60–$90.
• Dental X-ray (CDT D0220/D0330): Dental X-rays use separate CDT billing codes rather than CPT codes. A single periapical film (D0220) may cost $25–$50, while a full-mouth series (D0330) can cost $100–$200. These are billed through dental insurance rather than medical insurance.

These submitted charges represent what providers bill. The Medicare-allowed amount — what Medicare actually pays — is significantly lower, typically 30–50% of the submitted charge. Private insurance negotiated rates generally fall somewhere between Medicare rates and the full submitted charge.

Why X-Ray Costs Vary

The primary cost driver for X-rays is the facility type. Hospital outpatient departments charge facility fees that can inflate the total cost by 2–4x compared to a freestanding clinic or doctor's office. A chest X-ray that costs $50–$100 at an independent clinic might be billed at $200–$400 at a hospital outpatient facility.

Other significant factors include:

• Facility type: Hospital emergency department, hospital outpatient, freestanding imaging center, and doctor's office each have different pricing structures. The ED is consistently the most expensive setting for X-rays due to additional facility and emergency service fees
• Emergency vs. scheduled: X-rays performed in an emergency department carry additional ED facility fees and cannot be price-shopped. If the X-ray is non-urgent, scheduling it at a clinic or doctor's office can save substantially
• Number of views: A single-view X-ray costs less than a multi-view study. For example, a single-view chest X-ray (CPT 71045) costs less than the standard 2-view chest X-ray (CPT 71046). Some body parts require 3 or more views, increasing cost
• Body region and complexity: Extremity X-rays (hand, foot) are generally the least expensive, while spine and pelvis X-rays cost more due to greater complexity and the number of views required
• Geographic variation: X-ray prices vary by region. Urban hospitals in high-cost markets charge more than facilities in lower-cost areas
• Radiologist reading fee: Some facilities include the radiologist's interpretation in the X-ray price, while others bill the professional reading fee separately. Always ask whether the quoted price includes the reading

With Insurance vs. Without Insurance

With insurance, your X-ray cost depends on your deductible and cost-sharing arrangement. Most insurance plans cover diagnostic X-rays, but if you haven't met your annual deductible, you'll pay the full negotiated rate — which can be $50–$300 depending on the type of X-ray and facility. After meeting your deductible, you'll typically owe a copay of $20–$50 or 10–30% coinsurance. X-rays ordered as part of preventive care (such as a pre-operative chest X-ray) may be subject to different cost-sharing rules depending on your plan.

Without insurance, freestanding clinics and urgent care centers are your best option. Many offer transparent cash prices of $50–$150 for most common X-rays — far less than the $200–$750+ that hospitals typically charge. Some doctor's offices also offer competitive self-pay rates for X-rays performed in their office.

How to Lower Your X-Ray Cost

• Go to a freestanding imaging center or doctor's office: For non-emergency X-rays, avoiding the hospital setting is the single biggest way to save. Freestanding centers and independent practices typically charge 50–75% less than hospital outpatient departments
• Ask for the cash/self-pay price: If you haven't met your deductible, the cash price at a freestanding center may be less than your insurer's negotiated hospital rate. Many clinics offer discounted self-pay rates
• Use Medicare rates as a benchmark: Our Medicare Rate Lookup tool shows what Medicare pays for any X-ray CPT code in your area — a useful reference point when negotiating or comparing prices
• Ask if the X-ray is necessary: Discuss with your doctor whether the X-ray will change your treatment plan. In some cases, a clinical exam alone may be sufficient, particularly for minor injuries where treatment would be the same regardless of X-ray findings
• Verify the correct CPT code and number of views: Make sure your bill reflects the actual number of views taken. If only one view was performed, you shouldn't be billed for a multi-view study
• Check for duplicate charges: If you had X-rays of multiple body parts, review each line item to ensure nothing was billed twice. This is especially common when multiple X-rays are performed in the same visit
• Learn about common imaging billing errors: Our guide to imaging billing errors covers the most frequent mistakes to watch for on your X-ray bill

Want to check if your X-ray bill is fair? Use our Medicare Rate Lookup tool to see what Medicare pays for X-rays in your area, or upload your bill for a full analysis.

Where This Data Comes From

Cost data shown on this page comes from two public CMS datasets: the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (what Medicare reimburses) and the Medicare Provider Utilization & Payment Data (what providers actually charge, based on 100% of Medicare fee-for-service claims). The map above shows average submitted charges by state from the 2023 utilization dataset.

These figures represent Medicare data only and may not reflect prices for commercially insured or uninsured patients. Use our Medicare Rate Lookup tool to search for any procedure.