Price Checker / CPT 72040
How much does X-ray Exam Neck Spine 2-3 Vw cost?
CPT 72040 · Based on 2026 Medicare rates and hospital-published pricing
The average hospital charge is roughly 5.7x the fair price. This is well above fair — push back or dispute it.
Fair price
$60–$120
What this should cost
With insurance
~$78,500
Typical out-of-pocket
Overcharged if over
$150
Push back above this
The average hospital charge of $517 is $427 over the fair price (about 5.7x the fair rate).
What hospitals charge for X-ray Exam Neck Spine 2-3 Vw
From hospital-published transparency (MRF) files. These are the hospitals in our database that list this procedure.
| Hospital | Gross Charge | Cash Rate | vs Medicare |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bladen County Hospital , NC | $329 | — | 3078140% |
| Hoke Hospital , NC | $879 | — | 3078140% |
| Dodge County Hospital EASTMAN, GA | $748 | $449 | 1782% |
| Donalsonville Hospital , GA | $711 | $604 | 1689% |
| Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital Continuing Medical Care Cambridge , MA | $584 | $438 | 1369% |
| MEDICAL CITY MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS CENTER - ALLIANCE FORT WORTH, TX | $533 | — | 1240% |
| Arbuckle Memorial Hospital SULPHUR, OK | $463 | $370 | 1065% |
| Mackinac Straits Health System Saint Ignace, MI | $353 | — | 738% |
| Western Peaks Specialty Hospital Bountiful, UT | $50 | — | 26% |
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 Neck Spine 2-3 Vw
CPT code 72040 refers to x-ray exam neck spine 2-3 vw (billing description: "X-ray exam neck spine 2-3 vw"). Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, it is reimbursed at $40 in a facility (hospital or surgery center) and $40 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.