Barium swallow cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 49 hospitals list a cash price for barium swallow (esophagus X-ray with contrast): from $70.48 to $1,929.00, with a median of $415.00. The lowest listed price is at Roseland Community Hospital Association — $344.52 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $429.26 at 64 hospitals.
Cash prices at 49 facilities across 35 cities for code 74220, 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$415.00half pay less
Highest$1,929.00in this market
Difference27.4×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 $1,929.00
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list | File date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roseland Community Hospital Association lowest Chicago, IL · (773) 995-3000 Single contrast X-ray of esophagus | $70.48 | $461.00 | $70.48–$507.10 | 85% | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Esophagram | $158.46 | $834.00 | $167.60–$2,544.00 | 81% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Bolingbrook Bolingbrook, IL · (630) 312-5000 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth La Grange La Grange, IL · (708) 352-1200 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC ESOPHAGRAM | $187.00 | $1,144.00 | $67.23–$1,090.00 | 84% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 ESOPHAGRAM | $187.00 | $1,338.00 | $68.51–$1,338.00 | 86% | Sep 1, 2026 source file |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Esophagram | $191.82 | $834.00 | $542.10–$879.04 | 77% | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Single contrast X-ray of esophagus | $246.63 | $493.25 | $68.51–$493.25 | 50% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Single contrast X-ray of esophagus | $247.17 | $882.75 | $882.75 | 72% | Aug 24, 2026 source file |
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC X-RAY ESOPHAGUS SINGLE CONTRAST | $377.52 | $1,144.00 | $76.85–$674.96 | 67% | — source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 XR Esophagus BCE | $388.93 | $1,143.92 | $94.03–$743.55 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8700 XR Esophagus | $388.93 | $1,143.92 | $94.03–$743.55 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 XR Esophagus | $403.18 | $1,185.82 | $94.03–$770.78 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 XR Esophagus BCE | $403.18 | $1,185.82 | $94.03–$770.78 | 66% | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 XR ESOPHAGRAM | $415.00 | $830.00 | $220.00–$664.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 XR ESOPHAGRAM | $415.00 | $830.00 | $220.00–$664.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL XR ESOPHAGRAM | $415.00 | $830.00 | $220.00–$738.70 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL XR ESOPHAGRAM | $415.00 | $830.00 | $220.00–$664.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 XR ESOPHAGRAM | $415.00 | $830.00 | $220.00–$664.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 XR ESOPHAGRAM | $415.00 | $830.00 | $195.00–$664.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 XR ESOPHAGRAM | $415.00 | $830.00 | $220.00–$664.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 XR ESOPHAGRAM | $415.00 | $830.00 | $220.00–$675.62 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 XR ESOPHAGRAM | $415.00 | $830.00 | $220.00–$738.70 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 XR ESOPHAGRAM | $415.00 | $830.00 | $174.00–$747.00 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL XR ESOPHAGRAM | $415.00 | $830.00 | $220.00–$808.42 | 50% | Nov 4, 2025 source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 X-RAY XM ESOPHAGUS 1CNTRST | $529.10 | $529.10 | $79.60–$306.42 | — | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Esophagus X-Ray | $570.70 | $878.00 | $118.53–$479.39 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Esophagus X-Ray | $570.70 | $878.00 | $118.53–$479.39 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Evanston Hospital Evanson, IL · (847) 570-2000 Esophagus X-Ray | $570.70 | $878.00 | $118.53–$479.39 | 35% | — source file |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL Esophagus X-Ray | $570.70 | $878.00 | $118.53–$479.39 | 35% | — source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $81.63–$1,183.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $224.77–$1,183.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $228.32–$1,183.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $176.27–$1,183.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $216.49–$1,183.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $196.38–$1,183.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwestern Medicine Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital Wheaton, IL HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $496.86–$1,183.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Single Contrast X-Ray Esophagus | $828.10 | $1,183.00 | $189.28–$1,183.00 | 30% | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Contrast X-Ray Esophagus | $838.00 | $838.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H XR ESOPHAGUS | $861.70 | $1,231.00 | $209.27–$8,500.00 | 30% | — source file |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H IR 74220 RAD EXAM ESOPHAGUS | $861.70 | $1,231.00 | $209.27–$8,500.00 | 30% | — source file |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Radiologic Exam; Esophagus | $873.00 | $873.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB ESOPHAGUS X-RAY | $988.00 | $988.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Endeavor Health Clinical Operations Highland Park, IL HB ESOPHAGUS X-RAY | $988.00 | $988.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB ESOPHAGUS X-RAY | $988.00 | $988.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 Dr Esophagus W/Chest | $1,020.60 | $1,458.00 | $184.66–$1,297.62 | 30% | — source file |
| The Methodist Hospitals Merrillville, IN Dr Esophagus W/Chest | $1,020.60 | $1,458.00 | $184.66–$1,297.62 | 30% | — source file |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Radiologic Exam; Esophagus | $1,170.00 | $1,170.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC RAD ESOPHAGUS SNGL CONTRAST | $1,929.00 | $1,929.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC RAD ESOPHAGUS SNGL CONTRAST | $1,929.00 | $1,929.00 | — | — | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
Outpatient: lowest $70.48, median $415.00, highest $1,929.00 — a 27.4× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 30 facilities here, median $415.00. 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 3 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 barium swallow is a live X-ray of the esophagus while you drink barium. It shows narrowing, hernias and problems with how food passes.
What the price covers
The price usually covers the study and the barium. The radiologist's reading may be billed separately.