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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

South 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 October 2026.

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

$102

Typical negotiated rate. In South Carolina, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $102 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $97.72 from a physician practice, and about $324 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 7 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$97.72$81.28 to $120
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$324$219 to $479

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $324 · 10th to 90th $112 to $575Professionalmedian $98 · 10th to 90th $66 to $162
$50$100$200$500$1Kfacility $324professional $98

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
$81.28
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$120.23
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$81.28
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$123.03
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$22.91
Median
$24.55
Typical High
$37.15
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$57.54
Median
$57.54
Typical High
$89.13
Ambetter
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$29.51
Typical High
$50.12
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$302.00
Typical High
$575.44
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$125.89
Typical High
$125.89
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$125.89
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$46.77
BCBS South Carolina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$79.43
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$316.23
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$933.25
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$93.33
Typical High
$173.78
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$48.98
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$120.23
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$169.82
Median
$169.82
Typical High
$169.82
Medcost
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$309.03
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$131.83
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$33.11
Median
$38.90
Typical High
$52.48
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$83.18
Typical High
$134.90
Molina
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$169.82
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$741.31
Median
$891.25
Typical High
$1,174.90
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$186.21
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.38
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$57.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$128.82
8 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
$40.74
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$43.65
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$16.22
Median
$16.22
Typical High
$17.78
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$64.57
Typical High
$70.79
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
51 · Multiple procedures
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$57.54
Typical High
$95.50
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$19.95
Median
$22.39
Typical High
$38.02
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$15.85
Typical High
$26.30
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$15.85
Typical High
$26.30
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$13.80
Median
$15.85
Typical High
$26.30

Where South Carolina 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.

South Carolina· 32nd of 51

$102

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.