This procedure injects contrast dye directly into the ankle joint so that its internal structures, such as the joint lining and ligaments, can be more clearly seen on X-ray images taken afterward. A needle is guided into the joint space, often with imaging guidance, before the dye is injected. It is typically done to help diagnose ligament tears, cartilage damage, or other internal joint problems that are hard to see on a plain X-ray.
Rates data updated July 2026.
How much does Contrast Injection for Ankle Imaging cost?
$151
Typical negotiated rate. In Alabama, July 2026.
Insurers have agreed to pay about $151 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $123 from a physician practice, and about $617 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.
These are rates insurers have negotiated with providers, not the amount a patient is billed. What you owe depends on your plan's deductible and coinsurance. Based on rates published by 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.
Where it's billed changes the price
Billed by
Who charges it
Typical
Range
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider
A doctor's office, clinic or independent provider
$123
$53.70 to $229
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department
A hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department
$617
$468 to $1,072
How much rates vary
Facilitymedian $617 · 10th to 90th $398 to $1,585Professionalmedian $123 · 10th to 90th $45 to $316
Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.
Rates by insurance carrier
Insurance Carrier
Facility/Professional
Modifier
Typical LowTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
MedianTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Typical HighTypical Low is the 10th percentile of the published rates, Median the 50th, and Typical High the 90th. One in ten rates falls below Typical Low, and one in ten falls above Typical High.
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$562.34
Median
$954.99
Typical High
$2,398.83
Facility
Global
$562.34
$954.99
$2,398.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$316.23
Professional
Global
$44.67
$123.03
$316.23
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$416.87
Median
$501.19
Typical High
$676.08
Facility
Global
$416.87
$501.19
$676.08
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$239.88
Professional
Global
$38.02
$144.54
$239.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$323.59
Professional
Global
$53.70
$138.04
$323.59
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$239.88
Median
$758.58
Typical High
$1,584.89
Facility
Global
$239.88
$758.58
$1,584.89
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$281.84
Professional
Global
$43.65
$134.90
$281.84
Where Alabama sits
The same service costs 5.9 times more in California than in Kentucky. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Touch or drag across it to read any state, then open that state for its carriers and full range.