Barium swallow cost in Massachusetts
In Massachusetts, 17 hospitals publish a cash price for barium swallow (esophagus X-ray with contrast): from $230.52 to $1,350.00, with a median of $445.00. The lowest price is at Boston Medical Center South (Brockton). The highest price is 5.9× the lowest.
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 Sep 23, 2026.
Lowest$230.52Boston Medical Center South
Median$445.00half pay less
Highest$1,350.00in Massachusetts
Lowest saves$214.48vs the median
Hospitals in Massachusetts, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Medical Center South lowest Brockton · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Chg Radex Esophagus | $230.52 | $512.26 | — source file |
| Boston Medical Center Brighton Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Chg Radex Esophagus | $257.02 | $571.15 | — source file |
| The Mercy Hospital Springfield · Springfield, MA HC Xr Esophogram Chest Radiograph(S) & Delayed Images Single Contrast Study | $267.15 | $411.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Holyoke Medical Center Holyoke · Springfield, MA Contrast x-ray esophagus | $398.00 | $398.00 | — source file |
| Berkshire Medical Center Pittsfield · Pittsfield, MA XR Esophagus | $400.85 | $421.95 | Mar 25, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Hospital Great Barrington · Pittsfield, MA XR Esophagus | $400.85 | $421.95 | Mar 25, 2026 source file |
| North Adams Regional Hospital North Adams · Pittsfield, MA XR Esophagus | $400.85 | $421.95 | Mar 25, 2026 source file |
| Melrosewakefield Healthcare Melrose · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Xr Esophagus Barium Swallow | $440.30 | $629.00 | — source file |
| Milford Regional Medical Center Milford · Worcester, MA X-ray xm esophagus 1cntrst | $445.00 | $445.00 | — source file |
| Boston Medical Center Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Chg Radex Esophagus | $470.70 | $1,046.00 | — source file |
| Lowell General Hospital Lowell · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Xr Esophagus Barium Swallow | $480.90 | $687.00 | — source file |
| Shriners Childrens - Boston Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH X-RAY XM ESOPHAGUS 1CNTRST | $597.80 | $597.80 | — source file |
| HealthAlliance - Clinton Hospital Leominster · Worcester, MA HC Barium Swallow Esophagus | $642.00 | $642.00 | Mar 26, 2026 source file |
| UMass Memorial Medical Center Worcester · Worcester, MA HC Esophagus Incl Cst Radgrph and Dlyd Img, Single Contrast Study | $676.00 | $676.00 | Mar 26, 2026 source file |
| Tufts Medical Center Boston · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Xr Esophagus Barium Swallow | $679.70 | $971.00 | — source file |
| UMass Memorial Health - Harrington Hospital Southbridge · Worcester, MA HC Esophagus Incl Cst Radgrph and Dlyd Img, Single Contrast Study | $717.00 | $717.00 | Apr 3, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Health Alliance Cambridge · Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH HC Esophagus | $1,350.00 | $1,350.00 | — source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 8 | $230.52 | $475.80 |
| Worcester, MA | 4 | $445.00 | $659.00 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 3 | $400.85 | $400.85 |
| Springfield, MA | 2 | $267.15 | $332.58 |
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.
Barium swallow (esophagus X-ray with contrast) in other states
- Alabama$347.96
- Alaska$895.38
- Arizona$211.20
- Arkansas$217.67
- California$548.80
- Colorado$290.17
- Connecticut$521.27
- Delaware$416.23
- Florida$799.60
- Georgia$281.40
- Hawaii$257.40
- Idaho$589.00
- Illinois$429.26
- Indiana$484.15
- Iowa$221.58
- Kansas$449.80
- Kentucky$753.00
- Louisiana$207.18
- Maine$513.45
- Maryland$491.85
- Michigan$265.70
- Minnesota$291.97
- Mississippi$152.19
- Missouri$410.80
- Montana$364.20
- Nebraska$381.10
- Nevada$275.50
- New Hampshire$487.83
- New Jersey$209.65
- New Mexico$476.96
- New York$302.74
- North Carolina$425.03
- North Dakota$344.59
- Ohio$433.83
- Oklahoma$286.90
- Oregon$457.50
- Pennsylvania$427.80
- Puerto Rico$69.00
- Rhode Island$382.70
- South Carolina$452.50
- South Dakota$659.60
- Tennessee$108.75
- Texas$485.96
- Utah$430.35
- Vermont$807.14
- Virginia$451.50
- Washington$571.94
- West Virginia$360.00
- Wisconsin$399.78
- Wyoming$307.65
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.