Swallow study cost in Chicago, IL
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, 58 hospitals list a cash price for swallow study (modified barium swallow, video X-ray): from $108.24 to $2,151.16, with a median of $400.00. The lowest listed price is at Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago — $291.76 less than the median here. Across Illinois, the median is $606.96 at 101 hospitals.
- The median here, $400.00, is 15% below the US median of $471.60.
- That is 2.2× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($179.20).
- 10 of 58 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Cash prices at 58 facilities across 43 cities for code 74230, as an outpatient — the setting a self-pay patient normally buys. Collected Nov 10, 2026; the hospital files themselves were last updated between Jan 1, 2025 and Nov 6, 2026.
Lowest$108.24Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago
Median$400.00half of hospitals charge less
Highest$2,151.16in this market
Difference19.9×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 $108.24Highest $2,151.16
Hospitals, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | Insurers pay | Off list |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presence Saint Joseph Hospital - Chicago lowest Chicago, IL · (773) 665-3000 HC X-RAY VIDEO FLUOROSCOPY SWALLOW FUNC File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $108.24 | $328.00 | $110.32–$292.80 | 67% |
| Franciscan Health Munster Munster, IN · (219) 922-4200 Swallowing Function W/Video Contrast Study File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $155.92 | $732.00 | $179.36–$811.53 | 79% |
| Humboldt Park Health Chicago, IL · (773) 292-8200 Imaging for evaluation of swallowing function File of Sep 29, 2026 · source file | $156.41 | $558.60 | $184.34–$586.53 | 72% |
| MacNeal Hospital Berwyn, IL · (708) 783-9100 Swallowing Func W/ Cinerad / Videorad File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $165.68 | $872.00 | $31.92–$691.81 | 81% |
| Gottlieb Memorial Hospital Melrose Park, IL · (708) 681-3200 Swallowing Func W/ Cinerad / Videorad File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $165.68 | $872.00 | $402.86–$636.56 | 81% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Hinsdale Hinsdale, IL · (630) 856-9000 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM SWALLOW FUNCTION 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 SWALLOW FUNCTION 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 SWALLOW FUNCTION CONTRAST STUDY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% |
| Uchicago Medicine AdventHealth Glenoaks Glendale Heights, IL · (630) 545-8000 HC RADIOLOGIC EXAM SWALLOW FUNCTION CONTRAST STUDY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $175.00 | $700.00 | — | 75% |
| Franciscan Health Dyer Dyer, IN · (219) 865-2141 Swallowing Function W/Video Contrast Study File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $186.57 | $691.00 | $179.36–$591.01 | 73% |
| Mercy Medical Center Aurora, IL · (630) 859-2222 VIDEO SWALLOW File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $187.00 | $819.00 | $98.35–$819.00 | 77% |
| Saint Joseph Medical Center - Joliet Joliet, IL · (815) 725-7133 VID SWALLOW W/SCOUT AND CON File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $187.00 | $1,393.00 | $98.35–$1,393.00 | 87% |
| Saint Francis Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 316-4000 HC SWALLOWING FCN,W/CINE &/OR VIDEO File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $187.00 | $328.00 | $71.83–$328.00 | 43% |
| Loyola University Medical Center Maywood, IL · (708) 216-9000 Swallowing Func W/ Cinerad / Videorad File of Mar 31, 2026 · source file | $200.56 | $872.00 | $165.63–$485.86 | 77% |
| Franciscan Health Crown Point Crown Point, IN · (219) 757-6100 Swallowing Function W/Video Contrast Study File of Jan 1, 2026 · source file | $203.56 | $789.00 | $789.00 | 74% |
| Community First Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 282-7000 Imaging for evaluation of swallowing function File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $277.50 | $555.00 | $144.37–$555.00 | 50% |
| Resilience Healthcare West Suburban Medical Center Oak Park, IL · (708) 383-6200 XR Swallowing Function w/ Speech BCE+1 more line at this price File of Mar 17, 2025 · source file | $304.88 | $896.71 | $133.07–$582.86 | 66% |
| Morris Hospital Morris, IL · (815) 942-2932 Imaging for evaluation of swallowing function File of Oct 27, 2026 · source file | $306.28 | $1,273.00 | $549.94–$1,311.19 | 76% |
| John H. Stroger, Jr. Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 864-6000 XR SWALLOW CINE/VIDEO File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $313.60 | $448.00 | $31.51–$358.40 | 30% |
| Northwest Health - Porter Valparaiso, IN · (219) 983-8300 RF Modified Barium Swallow File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $316.44 | $1,172.00 | $112.14–$984.48 | 73% |
| Advocate Trinity Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 967-5002 XR SWALLOWING FUNCTION W/VIDEO File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $400.00 | $800.00 | $272.55–$640.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Illinois Masonic Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 975-1600 XR SWALLOWING FUNCTION W/VIDEO File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $400.00 | $800.00 | $272.55–$651.20 | 50% |
| Advocate Condell Medical Center Libertyville, IL · (847) 362-2900 XR SWALLOWING FUNCTION W/VIDEO File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $400.00 | $800.00 | $274.56–$640.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Christ Medical Center Oak Lawn, IL · (708) 684-8000 XR SWALLOWING FUNCTION W/VIDEO File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $400.00 | $800.00 | $206.05–$640.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Park Ridge Park Ridge, IL XR SWALLOWING FUNCTION W/VIDEO File of Nov 6, 2026 · source file | $400.00 | $800.00 | $272.55–$712.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Childrens Hospital Oak Lawn Oak Lawn, IL XR SWALLOWING FUNCTION W/VIDEO File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $400.00 | $800.00 | $272.55–$640.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Lutheran General Hospital Park Ridge, IL · (847) 723-2210 XR SWALLOWING FUNCTION W/VIDEO File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $400.00 | $800.00 | $272.55–$712.00 | 50% |
| Advocate South Suburban Hospital Hazel Crest, IL XR SWALLOWING FUNCTION W/VIDEO File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $400.00 | $800.00 | $272.55–$779.20 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Shepherd Hospital Barrington, IL · (847) 381-9600 XR SWALLOWING FUNCTION W/VIDEO File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $400.00 | $800.00 | $274.56–$640.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Sherman Hospital Elgin, IL · (847) 742-9800 XR SWALLOWING FUNCTION W/VIDEO File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $400.00 | $800.00 | $233.35–$720.00 | 50% |
| Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital Downers Grove, IL · (630) 275-5900 XR SWALLOWING FUNCTION W/VIDEO File of Nov 3, 2026 · source file | $400.00 | $800.00 | $272.55–$640.00 | 50% |
| Loretto Hospital Chicago, IL · (773) 626-4300 SWALLOW STUDY File of Nov 5, 2026 · source file | $403.16 | $671.94 | $42.35–$671.94 | 40% |
| Shriners Childrens - Chicago Chicago, IL · (773) 622-5400 IMAGING FOR EVALUATION OF SWALLOWING FUNCTION File of Mar 19, 2026 · source file | $529.10 | $529.10 | $97.95–$263.14 | — |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Glenbrook Hospital Glenview, IL Video Speech Swallow Study File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $538.85 | $829.00 | $111.92–$452.63 | 35% |
| NorthShore University HealthSystems Skokie Hospital Skokie, IL Video Speech Swallow Study File of Jan 1, 2025 · source file | $538.85 | $829.00 | $111.92–$452.63 | 35% |
| Methodist Hospital-Southlake Merrillville, IN · (219) 886-4000 Dr Cookie Swallow File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $550.90 | $787.00 | $179.36–$877.51 | 30% |
| The Methodist Hospitals Gary, IN · (219) 886-4000 Dr Cookie Swallow File of Aug 18, 2026 · source file | $550.90 | $787.00 | $179.36–$877.51 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine McHenry Hospital McHenry, IL · (815) 344-5000 HB Cine/Vid X-Ray Throat/Esoph File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $666.40 | $952.00 | $183.74–$952.00 | 30% |
| Palos Community Hospital Palos Heights, IL · (708) 923-4000 HB Cine/Vid X-Ray Throat/Esoph File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $666.40 | $952.00 | $152.32–$952.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Central DuPage Hospital Winfield, IL · (630) 682-1600 HB Cine/Vid X-Ray Throat/Esoph File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $666.40 | $952.00 | $65.69–$952.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Valley West Hospital Sandwich, IL · (815) 786-8484 HB Cine/Vid X-Ray Throat/Esoph File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $666.40 | $952.00 | $180.88–$952.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Memorial Hospital Chicago, IL · (312) 926-2000 HB Cine/Vid X-Ray Throat/Esoph File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $666.40 | $952.00 | $184.69–$1,001.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Delnor Hospital Geneva, IL · (630) 208-3000 HB Cine/Vid X-Ray Throat/Esoph File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $666.40 | $952.00 | $141.85–$952.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital Lake Forest, IL · (847) 234-5600 HB Cine/Vid X-Ray Throat/Esoph File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $666.40 | $952.00 | $158.03–$952.00 | 30% |
| Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital DeKalb, IL · (815) 756-1521 HB Cine/Vid X-Ray Throat/Esoph File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $666.40 | $952.00 | $174.22–$952.00 | 30% |
| Jackson Park Hospital Foundation Chicago, IL · (773) 947-7500 XR VIDEOFLUOROSCOPY File of Dec 26, 2025 · source file | $681.67 | $852.09 | — | 20% |
| Northwest Community Hospital Arlington Heights, IL · (847) 618-1000 Hb Cine/Vid X-Ray Throat/Esoph File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $747.00 | $747.00 | — | — |
| Ingalls Memorial Hospital Harvey, IL · (708) 333-2300 Hc Swallowing Function, With Cineradioraphy/Videoradiography File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $862.00 | $862.00 | — | — |
| Mercyhealth Hospital & Medical Center - Harvard Harvard, IL · (815) 943-5431 HC VIDEO SWALLOWING STUDY File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $892.76 | $1,190.35 | — | 25% |
| Northshore University Healthsystem - Evanston Hospital Evanston, IL · (847) 570-2000 HB VIDEO SPEECH SWALLOW STUDY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $932.00 | $932.00 | — | — |
| Swedish Covenant Health Chicago, IL · (773) 878-8200 HB VIDEO SPEECH SWALLOW STUDY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $932.00 | $932.00 | — | — |
| Endeavor Health Highland Park Hospital Highland Park, IL HB VIDEO SPEECH SWALLOW STUDY File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $932.00 | $932.00 | — | — |
| Edward Hospital Naperville, IL · (630) 527-3000 HC RAD SWALLOWING FUNCTION WITH CINE OR VIDEO File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $965.00 | $965.00 | — | — |
| Elmhurst Memorial Hospital Elmhurst, IL · (331) 221-1000 HC RAD SWALLOWING FUNCTION WITH CINE OR VIDEO File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $965.00 | $965.00 | — | — |
| Mercyhealth Crystal Lake Hospital & Medical Center Crystal Lake, IL · (792) 220-5500 HC VIDEO SWALLOWING STUDY File of Mar 1, 2026 · source file | $973.11 | $1,297.48 | — | 25% |
| Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago Chicago, IL · (312) 227-4000 H XR REHAB SWALLOW STUDY File of Sep 1, 2026 · source file | $1,120.00 | $1,600.00 | $272.00–$1,520.00 | 30% |
| The University of Chicago Medical Center Chicago, IL · (773) 702-9785 Hc Swallowing Function, With Cineradioraphy/Videoradiography File of Apr 1, 2026 · source file | $1,293.00 | $1,293.00 | — | — |
| Vista Medical Center East Waukegan, IL · (847) 360-3000 FL-MOD BA SWALLOW 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 $108.24, median $400.00, highest $2,151.16 — a 19.9× difference within the same market.
As an inpatient, the same code is billed by 36 facilities here, median $400.00. 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 39 of 43 hospitals that publish insurer rates for this code here, the cash price is below the highest rate a health plan has negotiated, and at 6 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 swallow study is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Swallow study explained.
3 rows held back from this comparison
They are priced below $1 or below a tenth of the national median for code 74230 ($518.40). 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.
| Hospital | Cash price | File |
|---|---|---|
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, ILXR Swallowing Function w/ Speech | $51.15 | file |
| Louis A Weiss Memorial Hospital Chicago, ILXR Swallowing Function w/ Speech BCE | $51.15 | file |
| Franciscan Health Rensselaer Rensselaer, INSwallowing Function W/Video Contrast Study | $51.19 | file |
File Link to the hospital's own price file.