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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

North Carolina 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?

$100

Typical negotiated rate. In North Carolina, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $100 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $89.13 to $174.

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.

How much rates vary

Professionalmedian $100 · 10th to 90th $74 to $490
$100.0$200.0$500.0professional $100

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
$25.70
Median
$27.54
Typical High
$87.10
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$489.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$112.20
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$190.55
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$72.44
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$57.54
Typical High
$57.54
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$52.48
Typical High
$70.79
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$79.43
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$190.55
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$75.86
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$239.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$38.02
Typical High
$74.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$173.78
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$109.65
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$109.65
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$40.74
Oscar Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$85.11
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$85.11
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$234.42
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.39
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$85.11
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$141.25
Wellcare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$181.97
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$645.65
Median
$645.65
Typical High
$812.83
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$181.97
Median
$181.97
Typical High
$229.09
Wellcare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$467.74
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$575.44

Where North Carolina 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.

North Carolina $100 · 31st 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.