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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Connecticut 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?

$115

Typical negotiated rate. In Connecticut, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $115 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $115 from a physician practice, and about $182 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$115$89.13 to $135
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$182$132 to $240

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $182 · 10th to 90th $112 to $389Professionalmedian $115 · 10th to 90th $62 to $170
$50$100$200$500facility $182professional $115

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
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$144.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$38.02
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$100.00
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$223.87
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$158.49
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$43.65
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$120.23
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$407.38
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$213.80
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$54.95
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$151.36
ConnectiCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$144.54
Health New England
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$371.54
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$524.81
Health New England
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$43.65
Typical High
$60.26
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$79.43
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$194.98
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$57.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$138.04
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
$34.67
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$48.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$14.13
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$19.50
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$77.62

Where Connecticut 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.

Connecticut· 22nd of 51

$115

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.