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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Rhode Island 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?

$120

Typical negotiated rate. In Rhode Island, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $120 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $120 from a physician practice, and about $355 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 4 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$120$91.20 to $151
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$355$191 to $398

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $355 · 10th to 90th $178 to $562Professionalmedian $120 · 10th to 90th $74 to $170
$100$200$500facility $355professional $120

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
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$91.20
Typical High
$109.65
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$30.20
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$81.28
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$331.13
Typical High
$426.58
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$120.23
Typical High
$194.98
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$33.88
Typical High
$39.81
BCBS Rhode Island
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$85.11
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$323.59
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$575.44
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$199.53
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$56.23
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$138.04
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$389.05
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$389.05
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$169.82
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$52.48
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$39.81
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$117.49
2 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
$41.69
Median
$45.71
Typical High
$45.71
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$16.60
Median
$18.20
Typical High
$18.20

Where Rhode Island 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.

Rhode Island· 19th of 51

$120

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.