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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Minnesota 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?

$229

Typical negotiated rate. In Minnesota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $229 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $182 from a physician practice, and about $468 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$182$132 to $257
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$468$339 to $525

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $468 · 10th to 90th $204 to $631Professionalmedian $182 · 10th to 90th $98 to $398
$100$200$500facility $468professional $182

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
$316.23
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$630.96
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$28.18
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$70.79
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$190.55
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$52.48
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$112.20
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$346.74
Typical High
$676.08
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$154.88
Median
$204.17
Typical High
$302.00
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$89.13
BCBS Minnesota
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$218.78
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$338.84
Typical High
$977.24
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$281.84
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$691.83
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$316.23
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$50.12
Typical High
$91.20
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$58.88
Median
$123.03
Typical High
$223.87
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$776.25
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$223.87
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$234.42
Typical High
$549.54
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$288.40
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$83.18
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$204.17
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$173.78
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$537.03
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$257.04
Typical High
$645.65
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$77.62
Typical High
$181.97
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$467.74
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$446.68
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$630.96
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$93.33
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$309.03
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$95.50
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$208.93
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
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$48.98
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$19.95
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$42.66
Median
$48.98
Typical High
$72.44
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$16.98
Median
$19.95
Typical High
$28.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$87.10

Where Minnesota 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.

Minnesota· 4th of 51

$229

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.