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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Maryland 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?

$95.50

Typical negotiated rate. In Maryland, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $95.50 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $77.62 to $107.

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.

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $115 · 10th to 90th $89 to $178Professionalmedian $95 · 10th to 90th $71 to $151
$100$200facility $115professional $95

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
$89.13
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$177.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$177.83
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$25.70
Typical High
$48.98
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$125.89
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$107.15
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$30.20
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$70.79
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$169.82
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$23.99
Typical High
$50.12
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$123.03
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$114.82
Typical High
$151.36
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$43.65
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$112.20
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$218.78
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$60.26
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$154.88
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$158.49
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$20.42
Typical High
$43.65
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$114.82
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
$44.67
Median
$47.86
Typical High
$47.86
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$17.78
Median
$19.05
Typical High
$19.05
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$75.86

Where Maryland 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.

Maryland· 40th of 51

$95.50

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.