Forearm X-ray cost in Des Moines, IA — inpatient
In Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA, 6 hospitals list a cash price for forearm X-ray (radius and ulna), 2 views as an inpatient: from $231.00 to $560.00, with a median of $342.50. The lowest listed price is at Dallas County Hospital — $111.50 less than the median here. Across Iowa, the median is $193.83 at 84 hospitals.
Cash prices at 6 facilities across 4 cities for code 73090, as an inpatient (admitted to hospital) . Collected Sep 27, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 28, 2026 and Sep 1, 2026.
Where each hospital's price falls
Each dot is one hospital's cash price on a scale from the lowest to the highest in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA.
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas County Hospital one side lowest Perry, IA · (515) 465-3547 PANORA-XRAY FOREARM RT, 2 VIEWS,Right Side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)+1 more line at this price source file | $231.00 | $356.00 | $26.17–$302.60 | 35% |
| MercyOne Newton Medical Center one side Newton, IA · (641) 792-1273 HC Xr Forearm 2 Views Rt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $232.70 | $358.00 | $82.37–$358.00 | 35% |
| Dallas County Hospital one side Perry, IA · (515) 465-3547 XR FOREARM RIGHT 2 VIEWS-PER PROTOCOL,Right Side (used to identify procedures performed on the right side of the body)+1 more line at this price source file | $250.00 | $384.00 | $26.17–$326.40 | 35% |
| Broadlawns Medical Center one side Des Moines, IA · (515) 282-2200 X-Ray Exam Of Forearm+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $321.00 | $321.00 | — | — |
| MercyOne Newton Medical Center Newton, IA · (641) 792-1273 HC Xr Forearm 2 Views Bl File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $349.05 | $537.00 | $82.37–$537.00 | 35% |
| MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center one side Des Moines, IA · (515) 247-4436 HC Xr Forearm 2 Views Rt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $364.00 | $560.00 | $82.14–$560.00 | 35% |
| UnityPoint Health - Des Moines Iowa Methodist Medical Des Moines, IA · (515) 343-1000 HC FOREARM 2 VIEWS+1 more line at this price File of Jan 28, 2026 · source file | $367.89 | $459.86 | $199.12 | 20% |
| MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center Des Moines, IA · (515) 247-4436 HC Xr Forearm 2 Views Bl File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $546.00 | $840.00 | $82.14–$840.00 | 35% |
| MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center one side West Des Moines, IA HC Xr Forearm 2 Views Lt+1 more line at this price File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $560.00 | $560.00 | $82.14–$560.00 | — |
| MercyOne West Des Moines Medical Center West Des Moines, IA HC Xr Forearm 2 Views Bl File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $840.00 | $840.00 | $82.14–$840.00 | — |
Inpatient: lowest $231.00, median $342.50, highest $560.00 — a 2.4× difference within the same market.
As an outpatient, the same code is billed by 8 facilities here, median $286.90 — that is the price to compare if you are not being admitted.
Cash or insurance?
At 3 of 5 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at none is it 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 forearm X-ray takes two pictures of the radius and ulna, the two bones between the elbow and the wrist. It is common after a fall on an outstretched arm, especially in children.
What the price covers
The hospital price usually covers taking the X-ray. The radiologist's reading is often billed separately.