Barium swallow cost in Illinois

In Illinois, 108 hospitals publish a cash price for barium swallow (esophagus X-ray with contrast): from $70.48 to $2,151.16, with a median of $609.72. The lowest price is at Roseland Community Hospital (Chicago). The highest price is 30.5× the lowest.

• The median here, $609.72, is 36% above the US median of $447.60.
• That is 3.4× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($179.20).
• Illinois ranks 42nd of 50 states by median, cheapest first.
• 24 of 108 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.

Illinois law (Hospital Uninsured Patient Discount Act, 210 ILCS 89): an uninsured Illinois resident with family income up to 600% of the federal poverty level (300% at rural and critical access hospitals) can apply for a discount that brings the bill down to about 135% of the hospital's cost; up to 200% (125% at rural hospitals) medically necessary care is free. A hospital may collect no more than 25% of family income in 12 months. Ask the billing office for the application. Other states' laws.

Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 74220. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Nov 10, 2026. See them on a map