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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Colorado 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?

$141

Typical negotiated rate. In Colorado, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $141 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $141 from a physician practice, and about $224 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$141$102 to $182
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$224$129 to $309

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $224 · 10th to 90th $102 to $490Professionalmedian $141 · 10th to 90th $85 to $224
$100$200$500facility $224professional $141

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
$102.33
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$169.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$169.82
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$45.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$120.23
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$489.78
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$114.82
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$245.47
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$69.18
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$177.83
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$707.95
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$213.80
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
$54.95
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$147.91
Denver HMP
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$144.54
Denver HMP
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$181.97
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$218.78
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$61.66
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$154.88
Select Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$208.93
Select Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$190.55
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$758.58
Median
$812.83
Typical High
$912.01
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$199.53
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$63.10
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$141.25
3 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
$42.66
Median
$51.29
Typical High
$54.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$21.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$81.28

Where Colorado 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.

Colorado· 12th of 51

$141

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.