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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Louisiana 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?

$110

Typical negotiated rate. In Louisiana, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $110 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $102 from a physician practice, and about $155 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$102$72.44 to $120
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$155$155 to $275

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $155 · 10th to 90th $123 to $407Professionalmedian $102 · 10th to 90th $59 to $132
$100$200$500facility $155professional $102

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
$102.33
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$489.78
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$281.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$141.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$42.66
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$87.10
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$72.44
BCBS Louisiana
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$123.03
Median
$199.53
Typical High
$478.63
BCBS Louisiana
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$112.20
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$125.89
BCBS Louisiana
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$36.31
Typical High
$42.66
BCBS Louisiana
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$83.18
Christus
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$154.88
Christus
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$27.54
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$190.55
Typical High
$302.00
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$138.04
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$17.38
Median
$18.62
Typical High
$40.74
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$38.02
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$95.50
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$199.53
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$489.78
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$125.89
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$39.81
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$38.90
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$91.20
6 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
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$34.67
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$141.25
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$56.23
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$229.09
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$57.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$20.89
Typical High
$22.91
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$91.20

Where Louisiana 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.

Louisiana· 26th of 51

$110

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.