Lower back X-ray cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 52 hospitals list a cash price for X-ray of the lower back (lumbar spine), 2 or 3 views: from $70.48 to $1,202.00, with a median of $370.00. The lowest listed price is at Roseland Community Hospital Association — $299.52 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $370.00 at 64 hospitals.
Cash prices at 52 facilities across 36 cities for code 72100, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Sep 23, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Mar 17, 2025 and Sep 1, 2026.
Lowest$70.48Roseland Community Hospital Association
Median$370.00half pay less
Highest$1,202.00in this market
Difference17.1×highest vs lowest
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN.
median
Lowest $70.48Highest $1,202.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseland Community Hospital Association lowest Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $70.48 | $273.00 | $70.48–$300.30 | 74% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $82.32 | $294.00 | $294.00 | 72% | Aug 24, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 LUMBAR SPINE MIN 3 VIEWS | $111.00 | $994.00 | $30.78–$994.00 | 89% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC X-RAY LUMBAR SPINE 2/3 VW | $111.00 | $431.00 | $30.31–$431.00 | 74% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC X-RAY LUMBAR SPINE 2/3 VW | $127.50 | $510.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC X-RAY LUMBAR SPINE 2/3 VW | $127.50 | $510.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC X-RAY LUMBAR SPINE 2/3 VW | $127.50 | $510.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC X-RAY LUMBAR SPINE 2/3 VW | $127.50 | $510.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC X-RAY LUMBAR SPINE 2/3 VW | $127.50 | $510.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC X-RAY LUMBAR SPINE 2/3 VW | $127.50 | $510.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC X-RAY LUMBAR SPINE 2/3 VW | $127.50 | $510.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC X-RAY LUMBAR SPINE 2/3 VW | $127.50 | $510.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Spine Lumbar 2-3 Views | $133.00 | $700.00 | $67.88–$2,544.00 | 81% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Spine Lumbosac 2 or 3 Vw Ferguson | $133.00 | $700.00 | $67.88–$2,544.00 | 81% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Spine Lumbosac 2 or 3 Vw Standing | $133.00 | $700.00 | $67.88–$2,544.00 | 81% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC X-RAY EXAM LUMBOSACRAL SPINE 2-3 VIEWS | $142.23 | $431.00 | $32.72–$272.68 | 67% | — source file |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Spine Lumbar 2-3 Views | $161.00 | $700.00 | $455.00–$737.80 | 77% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Spine Lumbosac 2 or 3 Vw Standing | $161.00 | $700.00 | $455.00–$737.80 | 77% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Spine Lumbosac 2 or 3 Vw Ferguson | $161.00 | $700.00 | $79.22–$162.95 | 77% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 MSI Lumbar Spine | $238.64 | $701.89 | $34.28–$456.23 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 XR Spine Lumbosacral 2 or 3 Views | $238.64 | $701.89 | $34.28–$456.23 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 XR Spine Lumbosacral 2 or 3 Views BCE | $238.64 | $701.89 | $34.28–$456.23 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 MSI Lumbar Spine | $252.48 | $742.59 | $34.28–$482.68 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 XR Spine Lumbosacral 2 or 3 Views BCE | $252.48 | $742.59 | $34.28–$482.68 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 XR Spine Lumbosacral 2 or 3 Views | $252.48 | $742.59 | $34.28–$482.68 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEW | $255.00 | $510.00 | $130.42–$634.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEW | $255.00 | $510.00 | $130.42–$634.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 X-RAY OF LOWER AND SACRAL SPINE; 2-3 VIEWS | $271.50 | $271.50 | $32.79–$156.84 | — | — source file |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 X-ray of lower and sacral spine, 2-3 views | $279.13 | $558.25 | $68.51–$558.25 | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL Spine L/S 2-3 Views | $292.50 | $450.00 | $60.75–$245.70 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Spine L/S 2-3 Views | $292.50 | $450.00 | $60.75–$245.70 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 Spine L/S 2-3 Views | $292.50 | $450.00 | $60.75–$245.70 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Spine L/S 2-3 Views | $292.50 | $450.00 | $60.75–$245.70 | 35% | — source file |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEW | $310.00 | $620.00 | $103.07–$558.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEW | $335.00 | $670.00 | $130.42–$634.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEW | $335.00 | $670.00 | $130.42–$634.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEW | $355.00 | $710.00 | $130.42–$634.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEW | $355.00 | $710.00 | $130.42–$634.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEW | $385.00 | $770.00 | $130.42–$749.98 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEW | $385.00 | $770.00 | $130.42–$634.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEW | $400.00 | $800.00 | $130.42–$640.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb X-Ray Exam L-S Spine 2/3 Vws | $404.00 | $404.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 XR LUMBAR SPINE 2 OR 3 VIEW | $452.50 | $905.00 | $130.42–$724.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| La Rabida Children's Hospital|LaRabida Childrens Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 363-6700 LUMBAR SPINE AP/LAT | $463.93 | $463.93 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Wheaton, IL HB X-Ray Exam L-S Spine 2/3 Vws | $472.50 | $675.00 | $283.50–$675.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H XR SPINE LUMBAR 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $490.70 | $701.00 | $119.17–$8,500.00 | 30% | — source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB SPINE L/S 2-3 VIEWS | $506.00 | $506.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB SPINE L/S 2-3 VIEWS | $506.00 | $506.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB SPINE L/S 2-3 VIEWS | $506.00 | $506.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Radiologic Examination, Spine, Lumbosacral; 2 Or 3 Views | $524.00 | $524.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB X-Ray Exam L-S Spine 2/3 Vws | $651.70 | $931.00 | $64.24–$931.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB X-Ray Exam L-S Spine 2/3 Vws | $651.70 | $931.00 | $176.89–$931.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB X-Ray Exam L-S Spine 2/3 Vws | $651.70 | $931.00 | $154.55–$931.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB X-Ray Exam L-S Spine 2/3 Vws | $651.70 | $931.00 | $148.96–$931.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB X-Ray Exam L-S Spine 2/3 Vws | $651.70 | $931.00 | $179.68–$931.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB X-Ray Exam L-S Spine 2/3 Vws | $651.70 | $931.00 | $138.72–$931.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB X-Ray Exam L-S Spine 2/3 Vws | $651.70 | $931.00 | $170.37–$931.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Radiologic Examination, Spine, Lumbosacral; 2 Or 3 Views | $744.00 | $744.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine Northwest Indiana Crown Point, IN · (312) 755-4706 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAMINATION, SPINE, LUMBOSACRAL; 2 OR 3 VIEWS | $744.00 | $744.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN Dr Lumbosacral Sp. | $941.50 | $1,345.00 | $66.34–$1,197.05 | 30% | — source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 Dr Lumbosacral Sp. | $941.50 | $1,345.00 | $66.34–$1,197.05 | 30% | — source file |
| Naperville Psychiatric Ventures Naperville, IL HC RAD SPINE LUMBOSACRAL TWO OR THREE VIEWS | $1,202.00 | $1,202.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC RAD SPINE LUMBOSACRAL TWO OR THREE VIEWS | $1,202.00 | $1,202.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC RAD SPINE LUMBOSACRAL TWO OR THREE VIEWS | $1,202.00 | $1,202.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $70.48, median $370.00, highest $1,202.00 — a 17.1× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 33 facilities here, median $355.00. Inpatient and outpatient prices are not comparable and are kept on separate pages: the inpatient charge covers admission, not the same purchase.
Cash or insurance?
At 32 of 37 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 2 it is below every plan's rate. If you have insurance but have not met your deductible, you usually pay your plan's negotiated rate, which falls somewhere in the "Insurers pay" column. Paying cash can cost less, but a cash payment usually does not count toward your deductible. Ask the hospital for both numbers before you book.
What it is
A lower back X-ray shows the bones of the lumbar spine in two or three views. It is used after injuries, for suspected fractures and for back pain with warning signs.
What the price covers
The price usually covers taking the images. The radiologist's reading may be billed separately.
2 rows held back from this comparison
They are priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 72100 ($278.40). Such a line is almost always a physician's fee billed separately, an assistant's share or a placeholder — a real charge, but not the price of the procedure itself.
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, ILEwc - Xray Spine Lumbosac 2 or 3 Vw | $0.01 | file |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, ILEwc - Xray Spine Lumbosac 2 or 3 Vw | $0.01 | file |