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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Washington, DC 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?

$97.72

Typical negotiated rate. In Washington, DC, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $97.72 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $87.10 to $135.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $479 · 10th to 90th $95 to $871Professionalmedian $98 · 10th to 90th $78 to $240
$50$100$200$500$1Kfacility $479professional $98

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

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$263.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$223.87
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$61.66
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$158.49
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$107.15
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$30.20
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$102.33
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$776.25
Typical High
$1,513.56
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$380.19
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$107.15
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$275.42
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$229.09
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$302.00
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$81.28
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$218.78
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
$44.67
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$47.86
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$19.05
Typical High
$19.05
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$75.86

Where Washington, DC 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.

Washington, DC· 39th of 51

$97.72

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.