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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

California 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 July 2026.

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

$107

Typical negotiated rate. In California, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $107 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $91.20 to $209.

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 13 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

How much rates vary

Professionalmedian $107 · 10th to 90th $81 to $457
$50.0$100.0$200.0$500.0$1.0Kprofessional $107

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
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$75.86
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$489.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$117.49
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$288.40
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$128.82
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$56.23
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$61.66
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$251.19
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$70.79
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$181.97
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$199.53
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$67.61
Blue Shield
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$151.36
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$23.99
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$218.78
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$66.07
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$169.82
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$169.82
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$9.55
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$42.66
Contra Costa Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$125.89
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$223.87
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$60.26
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$173.78
Lucent Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$181.97
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$645.65
Median
$812.83
Typical High
$812.83
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$229.09
Typical High
$229.09
Lucent Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$467.74
Median
$575.44
Typical High
$575.44
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$112.20
Providence
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$23.99
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$245.47
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$60.26
Providence
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$158.49
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$323.59
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$323.59
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$97.72
Sutter Health Plus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$223.87
The Alliance
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$114.82
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$331.13
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$112.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$158.49

Where California sits

The same service costs 2.7 times more in Alaska than in Florida. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

California $107 · 16th of 51
AK $234FL $87.10

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.