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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Kentucky 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?

$81.28

Typical negotiated rate. In Kentucky, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $81.28 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $81.28 from a physician practice, and about $89.13 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$81.28$72.44 to $100
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$89.13$77.62 to $129

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $89 · 10th to 90th $43 to $158Professionalmedian $81 · 10th to 90th $60 to $135
$50$100$200$500facility $89professional $81

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
$75.86
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$151.36
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$43.65
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$47.86
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$112.20
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$165.96
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$44.67
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$117.49
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$128.82
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$128.82
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$36.31
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$107.15
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$34.67
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$74.13
CareSource
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$58.88
Typical High
$114.82
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$26.30
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$109.65
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$354.81
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$7.08
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$46.77
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$15.49
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$102.33
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$79.43
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$457.09
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$37.15
Typical High
$134.90
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$323.59
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$33.11
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$134.90
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$42.66
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$46.77
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$91.20
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
$38.02
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$47.86
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$15.14
Median
$17.78
Typical High
$19.05
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$72.44

Where Kentucky 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.

Kentucky· 48th of 51

$81.28

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.