Price Checker / CPT 72020
How much does X-ray Exam Of Spine 1 View cost?
CPT 72020 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is roughly 9.3x the fair price. This is well above fair — push back or dispute it.
Fair price
$35–$70
What this should cost
With insurance
~$75,500
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$90
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $511 is $456 over the fair price (about 9.3x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for X-ray Exam Of Spine 1 View
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stonewall Jackson Hospital , WV | $1,643 | $821 | 6828% |
| Haskell Regional Hospital , OK | $1,149 | $1,149 | 4746% |
| Bucktail Medical Center RENOVO, PA | $378 | $340 | 1494% |
| Dale Medical Center OZARK, AL | $340 | $170 | 1334% |
| Childrens Specialized Hospital NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ | $323 | — | 1262% |
| Bear Lake Memorial Hospital MONTPELIER, ID | $323 | $274 | 1260% |
| Highland District Hospital HILLSBORO, OH | $312 | $250 | 1216% |
| Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Continuing Medical Care Cambridge , MA | $301 | $226 | 1170% |
| Rosebud Health Care Center FORSYTH, MT | $232 | $232 | 880% |
| McBride Orthopedic Hospital OKLAHOMA CITY, OK | $110 | $110 | 364% |
Were you billed for this procedure?
Send us your bill and we'll compare every line item against Medicare rates and your hospital's published prices. Free review, no obligation.
About X-ray Exam Of Spine 1 View
CPT code 72020 refers to x-ray exam of spine 1 view (billing description: "X-ray exam of spine 1 view"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $24 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $24 in a doctor's office.
The Medicare rate is the closest thing to an objective "what this work is actually worth." A fair cash price for the uninsured is generally 1.5–3x that rate. Hospital sticker (gross) charges are often far higher — but almost nobody actually pays them.
What to do if you were overcharged
- 1Send us your bill — we'll identify this code and compare it against the rates shown above.
- 2Get a dispute letter — citing the Medicare rate and your hospital's own published pricing data.
- 3We negotiate for you — 25% of savings, no savings = no fee.