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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Delaware 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?

$87.10

Typical negotiated rate. In Delaware, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $87.10 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $85.11 from a physician practice, and about $151 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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$85.11$81.28 to $105
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$151$97.72 to $316

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $151 · 10th to 90th $98 to $562Professionalmedian $85 · 10th to 90th $74 to $162
$100$200$500facility $151professional $85

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
$97.72
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$257.04
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$141.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$40.74
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$97.72
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$316.23
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$162.18
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$46.77
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$120.23
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$562.34
Highmark BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$199.53
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$190.55
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$53.70
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$144.54
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
$43.65
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$51.29
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$19.50
Typical High
$20.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$79.43

Where Delaware 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.

Delaware· 47th of 51

$87.10

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.