go back

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 July 2026.

How much does X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow) cost?

$95.50

Typical negotiated rate. In Maryland, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $95.50 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $87.10 to $120.

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

Professionalmedian $95 · 10th to 90th $69 to $245
$50.0$100.0$200.0$500.0professional $95

Distribution of negotiated rates across all payers (price axis is log-scale). Each curve is scaled to its own total: facility and professional rates are different services, shown together to compare where they cluster. Need provider-level prices or 24+ months of history? Contact us.

Rates by insurance carrier

Insurance Carrier
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$15.85
Median
$25.12
Typical High
$33.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$275.42
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$97.72
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$169.82
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$109.65
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$32.36
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$79.43
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$173.78
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$52.48
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$138.04
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$151.36
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.30
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
Global
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$218.78
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$69.18
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$151.36
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$158.49
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$43.65
Wellpoint
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$114.82

Where Maryland sits

The same service costs 2.7 times more in Alaska than in Florida. Every bar is a state, most expensive first. Pick one to see its carriers and full range.

Maryland $95.50 · 38th of 51
AK $234FL $87.10

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.