Barium swallow cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 61 hospitals list a cash price for barium swallow (esophagus X-ray with contrast): from $70.48 to $2,151.16, with a median of $432.50. The lowest listed price is at Roseland Community Hospital — $362.02 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $609.72 at 108 hospitals.
- The median here, $432.50, is 3% below the US median of $445.39.
- That is 2.4× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($179.20).
- 10 of 61 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 61 facilities across 44 cities for code 74220, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 12, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Dec 19, 2024 and Nov 6, 2026.
Lowest$70.48Roseland Community Hospital
Median$432.50half of hospitals charge less
Highest$2,151.16in this market
Difference30.5×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 $2,151.16
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseland Community Hospital lowest Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 Single contrast X-ray of esophagus File of Jul 1, 2026 · source file | $70.48 | $461.00 | $70.48–$507.10 | 85% |
| Franciscan Health Rensselaer Rensselaer, IN · (219) 866-5141 Rad Exam; Esophagus Sngl Contrast Study File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $118.86 | $332.00 | $83.00–$811.53 | 64% |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Esophagram File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $158.46 | $834.00 | $167.60–$2,544.00 | 81% |
| MacNeal Hospital Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 Esophagram File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $158.46 | $834.00 | $31.92–$536.47 | 81% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 ESOPHAGRAM File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $187.00 | $1,338.00 | $68.51–$1,338.00 | 86% |
| Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet Joliet, IL · (815) 725-7133 ESOPHOGRAM W/SCOUT AND CON File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $187.00 | $712.00 | $48.70–$712.00 | 74% |
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC ESOPHAGRAM File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $187.00 | $1,144.00 | $67.23–$1,090.00 | 84% |
| Franciscan Health Munster Munster, IN · (219) 922-4200 Rad Exam; Esophagus Sngl Contrast Study File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $191.27 | $898.00 | $185.58–$811.53 | 79% |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Esophagram File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $191.82 | $834.00 | $542.10–$879.04 | 77% |
| Franciscan Health Dyer Dyer, IN · (219) 865-2141 Rad Exam; Esophagus Sngl Contrast Study File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $223.83 | $829.00 | $185.58–$621.75 | 73% |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Single contrast X-ray of esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $246.63 | $493.25 | $68.51–$493.25 | 50% |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Single contrast X-ray of esophagus File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $247.17 | $882.75 | $291.31–$926.89 | 72% |
| Franciscan Health Crown Point Crown Point, IN · (219) 757-6100 Rad Exam; Esophagus Sngl Contrast Study File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $267.03 | $1,035.00 | $1,035.00 | 74% |
| Loretto Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 626-4300 ESOPHAGUS File of Nov 5, 2026 · source file | $284.98 | $474.96 | $284.98–$474.96 | 40% |
| Northwest Health - Porter Valparaiso, IN FL-ESOPHAGUS File of Dec 19, 2024 · source file | $301.64 | $1,117.20 | $63.69–$983.14 | 73% |
| Morris Hospital Morris, IL · (815) 942-2932 Single contrast X-ray of esophagus File of Oct 27, 2026 · source file | $308.45 | $1,282.00 | $553.82–$1,320.46 | 76% |
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 XR ESOPHAGUS File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $313.60 | $448.00 | $22.87–$358.40 | 30% |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC X-RAY ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $377.52 | $1,144.00 | $76.85–$674.96 | 67% |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 XR Esophagus BCE+1 more line at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $388.93 | $1,143.92 | $94.03–$743.55 | 66% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 XR Esophagus BCE+1 more line at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $403.18 | $1,185.82 | $94.03–$770.78 | 66% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL XR ESOPHAGRAM File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $432.50 | $865.00 | $272.55–$769.85 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL XR ESOPHAGRAM File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $432.50 | $865.00 | $272.55–$692.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 XR ESOPHAGRAM File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $432.50 | $865.00 | $272.55–$692.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 XR ESOPHAGRAM File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $432.50 | $865.00 | $274.56–$692.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 XR ESOPHAGRAM File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $432.50 | $865.00 | $272.55–$692.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 XR ESOPHAGRAM File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $432.50 | $865.00 | $272.55–$704.11 | 50% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 XR ESOPHAGRAM File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $432.50 | $865.00 | $144.44–$692.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 XR ESOPHAGRAM File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $432.50 | $865.00 | $274.56–$692.00 | 50% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL XR ESOPHAGRAM File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $432.50 | $865.00 | $272.55–$842.51 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 XR ESOPHAGRAM File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $432.50 | $865.00 | $272.55–$769.85 | 50% |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 XR ESOPHAGRAM File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $432.50 | $865.00 | $227.51–$778.50 | 50% |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 X-RAY XM ESOPHAGUS 1CNTRST File of Mar 19, 2026 · source file | $529.10 | $529.10 | $79.60–$306.42 | — |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Esophagus X-Ray File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $570.70 | $878.00 | $118.53–$479.39 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Esophagus X-Ray File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $570.70 | $878.00 | $118.53–$479.39 | 35% |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC ESOPHAGRAM File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $708.02 | $944.03 | — | 25% |
| Jackson Park Hospital Foundation Chicago, IL · (773) 947-7500 XR ESOPHAGUS File of Dec 26, 2025 · source file | $715.99 | $894.99 | — | 20% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $176.27–$1,183.00 | 30% |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $189.28–$1,183.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $81.63–$1,183.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $216.49–$1,183.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $196.38–$1,183.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $229.50–$1,183.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $228.32–$1,183.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $224.77–$1,183.00 | 30% |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Contrast X-Ray Esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $838.00 | $838.00 | — | — |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Radiologic Exam; Esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $873.00 | $873.00 | — | — |
| Mercyhealth Crystal Lake Hospital & Medical Center Crystal Lake, IL · (792) 220-5500 HC ESOPHAGRAM File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $938.79 | $1,251.72 | — | 25% |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB ESOPHAGUS X-RAY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $988.00 | $988.00 | — | — |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL HB ESOPHAGUS X-RAY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $988.00 | $988.00 | — | — |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB ESOPHAGUS X-RAY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $988.00 | $988.00 | — | — |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H XR ESOPHAGUS+1 more line at this price File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,012.90 | $1,447.00 | $245.99–$1,374.65 | 30% |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 Dr Esophagus W/Chest File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $1,020.60 | $1,458.00 | $184.66–$1,297.62 | 30% |
| Methodist Hospital-Southlake Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 Dr Esophagus W/Chest File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $1,020.60 | $1,458.00 | $184.66–$1,297.62 | 30% |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Radiologic Exam; Esophagus File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,170.00 | $1,170.00 | — | — |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC RAD ESOPHAGUS SNGL CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,929.00 | $1,929.00 | — | — |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC RAD ESOPHAGUS SNGL CONTRAST File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,929.00 | $1,929.00 | — | — |
| Vista Medical Center East Waukegan, IL · (847) 360-3000 FL-ESOPHAGUS File of Mar 31, 2025 · source file | $2,151.16 | $2,151.16 | $94.95–$269.01 | — |
Hospital The hospital that published the price, its city and the line exactly as written in its price file.
Cash price The hospital's own price for a patient paying without insurance (“discounted cash” in its price file). Hospitals must publish it under federal law, 45 CFR 180.50. Call to confirm it before booking. More
List price The hospital's full chargemaster price (“gross charge”) before any discount. Almost nobody pays it; the gap to the cash price shows what the self-pay discount is worth. More
Insurers pay The lowest and highest rates this hospital has agreed with insurance plans for the same item, from its price file. If the cash price is below what your plan pays and you have not met your deductible, paying cash can cost you less. More
Off list How much lower the cash price is than the list price.
At or below Medicare This cash price is at or below what Medicare pays a hospital for the same service, which is unusually low. It is what the hospital's file says; confirm it and what it includes before booking. More
No cash discount This line's cash price equals the hospital's full list price. Many hospitals still reduce bills for uninsured patients: ask the billing office for its self-pay discount in writing. More
Outpatient: lowest $70.48, median $432.50, highest $2,151.16 — a 30.5× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 38 facilities here, median $432.50. 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 42 of 46 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 5 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 barium swallow is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Barium swallow explained.