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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Michigan 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 Michigan, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $110 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $110 from a physician practice, and about $195 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$110$93.33 to $145
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$195$135 to $263

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $195 · 10th to 90th $110 to $389Professionalmedian $110 · 10th to 90th $76 to $155
$100$200$500facility $195professional $110

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
$109.65
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$138.04
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$186.21
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$144.54
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$42.66
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$100.00
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$74.13
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$42.66
BCBS Michigan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$162.18
Typical High
$281.84
BCBS Michigan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$154.88
BCBS Michigan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
BCBS Michigan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$109.65
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$66.07
Typical High
$117.49
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$213.80
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.42
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$70.79
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$50.12
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$169.82
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$117.49
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$389.05
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$53.70
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$245.47
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$123.03
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.20
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$37.15
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$89.13
Priority Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$181.97
Priority Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$18.62
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$56.23
Priority Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$147.91
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$489.78
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$123.03
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$38.02
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$87.10
5 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
$47.86
Median
$54.95
Typical High
$54.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$19.05
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$22.39
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$54.95
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$89.13
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$56.23
Typical High
$56.23
Health Alliance Plan
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$22.91
Typical High
$22.91

Where Michigan 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.

Michigan· 27th 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.