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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Iowa 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?

$158

Typical negotiated rate. In Iowa, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $158 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $145 from a physician practice, and about $214 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 8 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$145$97.72 to $204
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$214$166 to $295

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $214 · 10th to 90th $117 to $468Professionalmedian $145 · 10th to 90th $69 to $257
$50$100$200$500facility $214professional $145

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
$85.11
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$204.17
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$245.47
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$173.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$46.77
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$128.82
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$295.12
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$257.04
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$83.18
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$181.97
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$218.78
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$39.81
Typical High
$77.62
Hally Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$141.25
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$436.52
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$177.83
Typical High
$645.65
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$181.97
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$467.74
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$257.04
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$74.13
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$181.97
Midlands
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$295.12
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$295.12
Midlands
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$186.21
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$257.04
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$29.51
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$169.82
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$436.52
Typical High
$549.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$186.21
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$58.88
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$128.82
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$186.21
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$54.95
Wellmark
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$131.83
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
$42.66
Typical High
$61.66
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$16.98
Typical High
$24.55
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$75.86

Where Iowa 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.

Iowa· 10th of 51

$158

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.