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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 July 2026.

Facilitymedian $74 · 10th–90th $26$1740%10%20%10th90th$74Professionalmedian $71 · 10th–90th $26$1380%10%10th90th$71$20.0$50.0$100.0$200.0$500.0

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Facility and professional rates are different services and are charted separately. Need provider-level prices? Contact us.

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$173.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$102.33
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$48.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$74.13
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$302.00
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$39.81
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$77.62
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$234.42
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$64.57
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$177.83
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$229.09
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$66.07
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$165.96
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$575.44
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$138.04
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$346.74