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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Alabama rates for HCPCS 74220

This X-ray study captures images of the esophagus, the tube connecting the throat to the stomach, while the patient swallows a contrast liquid that outlines its inner lining on the images. It helps identify narrowing, blockages, abnormal pouches, or problems with the swallowing motion itself. The exam is typically performed in a radiology suite while the radiologist watches the swallowed contrast move down the esophagus in real time.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow) cost?

$91.20

Typical negotiated rate. In Alabama, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $91.20 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $95.50 from a physician practice, and about $83.18 from a hospital or other facility.

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 5 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$95.50$85.11 to $123
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$83.18$83.18 to $83.18

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $83 · 10th to 90th $83 to $224Professionalmedian $95 · 10th to 90th $68 to $132
$100$200facility $83professional $95

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$123.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$138.04
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$38.02
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$95.50
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$83.18
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$26.30
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$83.18
BCBS Alabama
Setting
Professional
Modifier
32 · Mandated service + 81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$104.71
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$436.52
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$144.54
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$41.69
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$109.65
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$204.17
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$281.84
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$117.49
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$35.48
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$83.18
2 more rates with less common billing modifiers

A modifier changes what was billed, for example a reduced or repeated service. Each of these modifiers carries under 10% of the published rates for this code. Modifier combinations, and modifiers with fewer than 30 rates for a carrier, are not listed.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$43.65
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$61.66
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$24.55

Where Alabama sits

The same service costs 3.8 times more in Alaska than in Utah. 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.

Alabama· 43rd of 51

$91.20

AK $282UT $74.13

Median negotiated rate in each state, from every insurer that publishes one. States where no insurer publishes a rate for this service are not shown.