go back

X-ray Of The Esophagus (Barium Swallow)

Wisconsin 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?

$234

Typical negotiated rate. In Wisconsin, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $234 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $234 from a physician practice, and about $263 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 12 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$234$138 to $457
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$263$145 to $437

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $263 · 10th to 90th $107 to $513Professionalmedian $234 · 10th to 90th $98 to $646
$100$200$500facility $263professional $234

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
$144.54
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$199.53
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$144.54
Typical High
$676.08
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$42.66
Typical High
$288.40
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$74.13
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$117.49
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$95.50
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$758.58
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$27.54
Median
$104.71
Typical High
$218.78
Anthem BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$67.61
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$537.03
CareSource
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$81.28
Typical High
$117.49
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$295.12
Typical High
$446.68
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$416.87
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$31.62
Median
$44.67
Typical High
$114.82
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$295.12
DeanCare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$107.15
Median
$446.68
Typical High
$602.56
DeanCare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$389.05
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$602.56
DeanCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$177.83
Median
$223.87
Typical High
$269.15
DeanCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$52.48
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$79.43
DeanCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$125.89
Median
$165.96
Typical High
$190.55
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$389.05
Typical High
$512.86
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$338.84
Typical High
$645.65
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$32.36
Median
$109.65
Typical High
$181.97
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$72.44
Median
$275.42
Typical High
$467.74
Network Health
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$151.36
Typical High
$186.21
Network Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$338.84
Network Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$36.31
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$114.82
Network Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$100.00
Median
$112.20
Typical High
$281.84
Prevea360
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$107.15
Typical High
$186.21
Quartz
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$213.80
Typical High
$426.58
Quartz
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$138.04
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$316.23
Quartz
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$40.74
Typical High
$100.00
Quartz
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$213.80
Security Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$263.03
Median
$263.03
Typical High
$263.03
Security Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$190.55
Median
$537.03
Typical High
$676.08
Security Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$51.29
Median
$79.43
Typical High
$128.82
Security Health
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$102.33
Median
$154.88
Typical High
$398.11
The Alliance
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$165.96
Median
$281.84
Typical High
$575.44
The Alliance
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$48.98
Median
$128.82
Typical High
$144.54
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$467.74
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$467.74
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$194.98
Typical High
$407.38
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$26.92
Median
$61.66
Typical High
$123.03
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$66.07
Median
$134.90
Typical High
$281.84
10 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
$72.44
Median
$72.44
Typical High
$338.84
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$28.84
Median
$28.84
Typical High
$138.04
DeanCare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$97.72
DeanCare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$97.72
DeanCare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$61.66
Median
$75.86
Typical High
$97.72
DeanCare
Setting
Facility
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$53.70
Median
$67.61
Typical High
$85.11
DeanCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
80 · Assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$42.66
DeanCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
81 · Minimal assistant surgeon
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$42.66
DeanCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
82 · Assistant surgeon, no resident
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$35.48
Typical High
$42.66
DeanCare
Setting
Professional
Modifier
AS · PA/NP assist
Typical Low
$24.55
Median
$31.62
Typical High
$38.02

Where Wisconsin 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.

Wisconsin· 3rd of 51

$234

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.