Barium Swallow (Esophagus X-ray) cost at US hospitals

Esophagram with chest radiographs and delayed images, single-contrast study · CPT 74220

What is Barium Swallow (Esophagus X-ray)? Read the full explainer →

Barium Swallow (Esophagus X-ray)

An esophagram is a live x-ray movie of barium going down the esophagus, with still images taken afterward. It answers whether the swallowing tube itself is narrowed, blocked, refluxing, or moving abnormally. This version uses barium alone rather than barium plus gas.

$69.30

lowest cash price

$484.80

national median

$4,795.68

highest cash price

909

hospitals with a published cash price

Middle half of hospitals (25th–75th percentile) against the full range. The same procedure varies $69.30–$4,795.68 — the variation is the story.

Cheapest published cash price

$69.30

Bristol Regional Medical Center — BRISTOL, TN

Most expensive published cash price

$4,795.68

HCA FLORIDA LEHIGH HOSPITAL — LEHIGH ACRES, FL

Median cash price over time

Sep 1, 2025 ($728.85) → Sep 1, 2026 ($1,472.72)

By state

State Hospitals Lowest cash Median Highest
Alaska 3 $309.12 $967.20 $1,114.62
Arizona 23 $101.46 $150.92 $1,026.93
Arkansas 8 $84.90 $203.45 $558.00
California 90 $150.96 $478.40 $1,284.72
Colorado 17 $127.42 $1,763.36 $3,568.64
Florida 74 $348.40 $1,182.30 $4,795.68
Georgia 25 $390.13 $495.55 $3,739.73
Hawaii 2 $182.08 $182.08 $458.25
Illinois 51 $175.00 $584.80 $1,140.00
Indiana 26 $460.50 $484.80 $1,555.49
Iowa 27 $190.40 $381.01 $744.00
Kansas 11 $252.40 $976.84 $2,246.90
Kentucky 22 $334.55 $574.20 $1,555.49
Louisiana 2 $185.90 $185.90 $185.90
Maine 7 $481.75 $756.20 $1,272.50
Maryland 2 $321.60 $321.60 $321.60
Michigan 27 $90.16 $320.00 $994.40
Minnesota 19 $207.79 $208.99 $668.00
Mississippi 10 $79.20 $144.00 $200.97
Missouri 20 $254.10 $422.95 $2,640.38
Montana 2 $386.40 $386.40 $657.60
Nebraska 12 $313.77 $358.68 $776.05
Nevada 4 $275.50 $520.70 $726.44
New Hampshire 1 $876.85 $876.85 $876.85
New Jersey 21 $115.32 $197.04 $260.04
New Mexico 2 $502.32 $502.32 $502.32
New York 23 $210.66 $210.66 $1,614.00
North Carolina 15 $425.03 $425.03 $939.00
North Dakota 4 $415.20 $616.80 $635.20
Ohio 68 $229.20 $586.80 $1,260.00
Oklahoma 16 $221.54 $525.85 $2,064.36
Oregon 13 $106.92 $747.00 $826.20
Pennsylvania 34 $186.00 $479.20 $1,312.80
South Carolina 11 $272.50 $452.50 $1,705.00
South Dakota 4 $632.80 $647.20 $841.60
Tennessee 36 $69.30 $107.58 $1,983.27
Texas 111 $142.65 $501.34 $4,784.42
Virginia 41 $69.30 $587.50 $2,462.00
Washington 32 $359.32 $568.40 $1,413.30
West Virginia 16 $221.00 $381.00 $625.00
Wisconsin 32 $118.56 $505.00 $1,079.10
Wyoming 4 $143.22 $307.65 $334.74

All hospitals

Hospital Location Cash price Negotiated range
Garrett Regional Medical Center Oakland, MD not published not published
MEDICAL CITY ARLINGTON HOSPITAL RED OAK, TX not published $96.10 – $274.79
RESEARCH PSYCHIATRIC CENTER Kansas City, MO not published $79.75 – $216.87
Sentara Williamsburg Regional Medical Center Williamsburg, VA not published $174.56 – $179.69
Midwest Orthopedic Specialty Hospital Franklin, WI not published $79.04 – $401.74
Ascension St. Vincent's Southside (St. Luke's-St. Vincent's HealthCare, Inc.) Jacksonville, FL not published $171.54 – $393.89
Ascension Saint Thomas Hickman Centerville, TN not published $74.25 – $291.55
Ascension Via Christi Hospital St. Teresa, Inc. Wichita, KS not published $164.64 – $460.99
Ascension Via Christi St. Francis (Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.) Wichita, KS not published $164.64 – $460.99
Adventhealth Rollins Brook Lampasas, TX not published $701.55 – $701.55
CHRISTUS Louisiana Surgical Hospital Alexandria, LA not published $169.34 – $401.74
Ascension Calumet Hospital, Inc. Chilton, WI not published $30.23 – $73.26
Ascension St. Vincent Warrick (St. Mary's Warrick Hospital, Inc.) Boonville, IN not published $10.39 – $250.00
Ascension St. Vincent Williamsport (St. Vincent Williamsport Hospital, Inc.) Williamsport, IN not published $10.39 – $250.00
Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital, Inc. Wichita, KS not published $68.68 – $460.99
Spring Harbor Hospital Westbrook, ME not published $27.25 – $64.94
Ascension St. Vincent Salem (St. Vincent Salem Hospital, Inc.) Salem, IN not published $10.39 – $250.00
Ascension Alexian Brothers Behavioral Health Hospital Hoffman Estates, IL not published $175.20 – $301.86

Related imaging procedures