Upper Digestive Tract X-Ray, Detailed Contrast Study

Nationwide rates for HCPCS 74249

This covers a detailed X-ray study of the upper digestive tract using a contrast liquid the patient swallows, with images taken as the contrast moves through the esophagus, stomach, and into the small intestine. This version uses a more detailed contrast technique intended to show the lining of the digestive tract in finer detail than a standard study. It is used to evaluate symptoms such as pain, difficulty swallowing, or a suspected abnormality in this part of the digestive tract.

Rates data updated July 2026.

How much does Upper Digestive Tract X-Ray, Detailed Contrast Study cost?

$427

Typical negotiated rate. Nationwide, July 2026.

Insurers have agreed to pay about $427 for this service. The price depends on where it is billed: about $380 from a physician practice, and about $631 from a hospital or other facility. The two figures are alternatives, not parts of one bill.

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 21 insurance carriers under federal price transparency rules.

Where it's billed changes the price

Billed by	Who charges it	Typical	Range
Physician practiceA doctor's office, clinic or independent provider	A doctor's office, clinic or independent provider	$380	$288 to $794
FacilityA hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department	A hospital or hospital-owned outpatient department	$631	$513 to $692

How much rates vary

Facilitymedian $631 · 10th to 90th $347 to $1,479Professionalmedian $380 · 10th to 90th $151 to $912

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	Facility/Professional	Modifier	Typical Low	Median	Typical High
BCBS Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $295.12 Median $562.34 Typical High $1,584.89	Facility	Global	$295.12	$562.34	$1,584.89
Cigna Setting Facility Modifier Global Typical Low $501.19 Median $676.08 Typical High $1,905.46	Facility	Global	$501.19	$676.08	$1,905.46
Cigna Setting Professional Modifier Global Typical Low $288.40 Median $436.52 Typical High $676.08	Professional	Global	$288.40	$436.52	$676.08

What it costs in each state

The same service costs 30.2 times more in California than in Idaho. 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.

Touch or drag across the chart to see any state's rate.

CA $912ID $30.20

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.