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Double-Contrast Upper GI X-ray Series

Minnesota rates for HCPCS 74246

The patient swallows a barium contrast solution along with a substance that produces gas, and X-ray images are taken as the mixture coats and expands the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. The combination of barium coating and gas expansion, known as a double-contrast technique, provides a more detailed view of the lining of these organs than a single-contrast study. It's used to look for ulcers, growths, or other abnormalities.

Rates data updated October 2026.

How much does Double-Contrast Upper GI X-ray Series cost?

$269

Typical negotiated rate. In Minnesota, October 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $269 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $257 from a physician practice, and about $501 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 6 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Prices by location type

Billed byTypicalRange
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider$257$191 to $363
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department$501$240 to $661

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $501 · 10th to 90th $141 to $813Professionalmedian $257 · 10th to 90th $141 to $575
$100$200$500$1Kfacility $501professional $257

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
$141.25
Median
$660.69
Typical High
$812.83
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$41.69
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$41.69
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$97.72
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$97.72
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$120.23
Median
$141.25
Typical High
$245.47
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$33.88
Median
$41.69
Typical High
$70.79
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$97.72
Typical High
$141.25
BCBS
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$234.42
Median
$416.87
Typical High
$676.08
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$223.87
Median
$288.40
Typical High
$426.58
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$69.18
Median
$89.13
Typical High
$131.83
BCBS
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$151.36
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$302.00
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$302.00
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$1,380.38
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$91.20
Median
$141.25
Typical High
$416.87
Cigna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$213.80
Median
$331.13
Typical High
$977.24
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$123.03
Median
$245.47
Typical High
$446.68
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$37.15
Median
$74.13
Typical High
$134.90
Cigna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$173.78
Typical High
$316.23
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$281.84
Median
$467.74
Typical High
$1,096.48
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$83.18
Median
$138.04
Typical High
$331.13
Health Partners
Setting
Facility
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$194.98
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$758.58
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$208.93
Median
$208.93
Typical High
$407.38
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$63.10
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$123.03
Health Partners
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$147.91
Median
$147.91
Typical High
$281.84
Medica
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$144.54
Median
$323.59
Typical High
$630.96
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$141.25
Median
$354.81
Typical High
$933.25
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$44.67
Median
$117.49
Typical High
$269.15
Medica
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$104.71
Median
$239.88
Typical High
$660.69
United
Setting
Facility
Modifier
None
Typical Low
$446.68
Median
$478.63
Typical High
$630.96
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
None (both parts)
Typical Low
$134.90
Median
$218.78
Typical High
$436.52
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
26 · Professional part
Typical Low
$40.74
Median
$63.10
Typical High
$144.54
United
Setting
Professional
Modifier
TC · Technical part
Typical Low
$89.13
Median
$158.49
Typical High
$295.12
5 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
Facility
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$70.79
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$70.79
Aetna
Setting
Facility
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$28.18
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$28.18
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
52 · Reduced service
Typical Low
$60.26
Median
$70.79
Typical High
$102.33
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
53 · Discontinued
Typical Low
$23.99
Median
$28.18
Typical High
$40.74
Aetna
Setting
Professional
Modifier
FX · Film X-ray
Typical Low
$87.10
Median
$102.33
Typical High
$125.89

Where Minnesota sits

The same service costs 3.9 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.

Minnesota· 5th of 51

$269

AK $407UT $105

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.