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X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Virginia 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?

$97.72

Typical negotiated rate. In Virginia, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $97.72 for this service. Most negotiated rates run $87.10 to $141.

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 $98 · 10th to 90th $72 to $174
$20.0$100.0$500.0$2.0K$10.0Kprofessional $98

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
$41.69
Typical High
$141.25
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$77.62
Median
$95.50
Typical High
$154.88
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$30.90
Typical High
$67.61
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$56.23
Median
$69.18
Typical High
$107.15
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$181.97
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.12
Median
$34.67
Typical High
$52.48
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$85.11
Typical High
$128.82
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$234.42
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$21.88
Median
$26.92
Typical High
$34.67
CareFirst
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$89.13
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$199.53
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$20.89
Median
$30.20
Typical High
$58.88
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$141.25
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$147.91
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$25.70
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$40.74
Kaiser Permanente
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$109.65
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$218.78
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$61.66
Medcost
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$60.26
Typical High
$162.18
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$30.20
Median
$100.00
Typical High
$309.03
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$23.44
Median
$33.11
Typical High
$64.57
Sentara
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$64.57
Median
$87.10
Typical High
$154.88
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
Global
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$204.17
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$19.50
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$75.86
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$45.71
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$131.83

Where Virginia 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.

Virginia $97.72 · 33rd 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.