Barium swallow cost in Minnesota
In Minnesota, 60 hospitals publish a cash price for barium swallow (esophagus X-ray with contrast): from $91.70 to $728.36, with a median of $309.81. The lowest price is at Mille Lacs Health System (Onamia). The highest price is 7.9× the lowest.
- The median here, $309.81, is 31% below the US median of $447.60.
- That is 1.7× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($179.20).
- Minnesota ranks 9th of 50 states by median, cheapest first.
- 1 of 60 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Minnesota law (Minn. Stat. §144.589): a hospital may not charge an uninsured patient whose household income is under $125,000 more than the lowest amount it would be paid for the same service by a private insurer, counting the insured patient's share. If the cash price below is higher, ask the billing office to apply this limit. Each hospital's page here shows the range of insurer rates in its own file (the "Insurers pay" column), a starting point when you ask. 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 11, 2026. See them on a map
Lowest$91.70Mille Lacs Health System
Median$309.81half of hospitals charge less
Highest$728.36in Minnesota
Lowest saves$218.11vs the median
Hospitals in Minnesota, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mille Lacs Health System lowest Onamia · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI ESOPHAGRAM | $91.70 | $131.00 | Aug 13, 2026 source file |
| Glacial Ridge Hospital Glenwood · Glenwood, MN Single contrast X-ray of esophagus | $94.88 | $112.95 | Oct 21, 2026 source file |
| Methodist Hospital St. Louis Park · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI X-ray; esophagus with contrast | $103.22 | $397.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Community Memorial Hospital Cloquet · Duluth, MN-WI ESOPHAGUS INCLUDED W/OTH EXAM | $144.64 | $226.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Regions Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI X-ray; esophagus with contrast | $177.84 | $684.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Abbott Northwestern Hospital Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD XRAY ESOPHAGUS | $207.79 | $432.90 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Allina United Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD XRAY ESOPHAGUS | $207.79 | $432.90 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Hospital Coon Rapids · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD XRAY ESOPHAGUS | $207.79 | $432.90 | Jun 17, 2026 source file |
| Allina Health Faribault Medical Center Faribualt · Faribault-Northfield, MN HCHG RAD XRAY ESOPHAGUS | $208.99 | $373.20 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Buffalo Hospital Buffalo · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD XRAY ESOPHAGUS | $208.99 | $373.20 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cambridge Medical Center Cambridge · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HCHG RAD XRAY ESOPHAGUS | $208.99 | $373.20 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Owatonna Hospital Owatonna · Owatonna, MN HCHG RAD XRAY ESOPHAGUS | $208.99 | $373.20 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Cuyuna Regional Medical Center Crosby · Brainerd, MN PR RADEX ESOPHAGUS | $212.16 | $624.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| New Ulm Medical Center New Ulm · New Ulm, MN HCHG RAD XRAY ESOPHAGUS | $257.66 | $460.10 | Jun 16, 2026 source file |
| Maple Grove Hospital Maple Grove · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI X-ray of esophagus | $259.81 | $493.00 | Sep 25, 2026 source file |
| North Memorial Health Care Robbinsdale · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI X-ray of esophagus | $259.81 | $493.00 | Apr 30, 2026 source file |
| Lakewood Health System Staples · Staples, MN Single contrast X-ray of esophagus | $287.06 | $463.00 | Sep 11, 2026 source file |
| Lakeview Hospital Stillwater · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI X-ray; esophagus with contrast | $288.60 | $780.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Northfield Hospital Northfield · Faribault-Northfield, MN X-Ray Esophagus | $291.00 | $696.00 | Apr 16, 2026 source file |
| Hutchinson Hospital Hutchinson · Hutchinson, MN X-ray; esophagus with contrast | $291.64 | $634.00 | Mar 31, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Northland Regional Hospital Princeton · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC ESOPHAGRAM | $292.30 | $728.91 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Southdale Hospital Edina · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC ESOPHAGRAM | $292.30 | $728.91 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview St. John's Hospital Maplewood · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC ESOPHAGRAM | $292.30 | $728.91 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview University of Mn Medical Center Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI Outpatient Services | $292.30 | $728.91 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Woodwinds Hospital Woodbury · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC ESOPHAGRAM | $292.30 | $728.91 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Bethesda Hospital St. Paul · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC ESOPHAGRAM | $292.33 | $729.00 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| Fairview Lakes Health Services Wyoming · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC ESOPHAGRAM | $292.33 | $729.00 | Feb 5, 2026 source file |
| Meeker County Memorial Hospital Litchfield · Litchfield, MN XR ESOPHAGRAM BARIUM | $293.12 | $458.00 | Dec 28, 2025 source file |
| Welia Health Mora · Mora, MN HCHG RAD XRAY ESOPHAGUS | $295.40 | $422.00 | Apr 27, 2026 source file |
| M Health Fairview Ridges Hospital Burnsville · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI HC ESOPHAGRAM | $309.79 | $728.91 | Feb 6, 2026 source file |
| Grand Itasca Clinic and Hospital Grand Rapids · Grand Rapids, MN HC ESOPHAGRAM | $309.83 | $729.00 | Jan 28, 2026 source file |
| Range Regional Health Services Hibbing · Duluth, MN-WI HC ESOPHAGRAM | $309.83 | $729.00 | Jan 29, 2026 source file |
| Perham Health Perham · Fergus Falls, MN Single contrast X-ray of esophagus | $334.75 | $515.00 | Feb 1, 2026 source file |
| Unity Family Healthcare Little Falls · Little Falls, MN XR ESOPHAGRAM BARIUM | $352.06 | $607.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Virginia Virginia · Duluth, MN-WI CONTRAST XRAY ESOPHAGUS; INCL SCOUT & DELAY (TC) | $391.24 | $623.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Madison Hospital Madison · Madison, MN XR ESOPHAGRAM BARIUM | $399.50 | $470.00 | Jun 23, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's - Detroit Lakes Detroit Lakes · Detroit Lakes, MN CONTRAST XRAY ESOPHAGUS; INCL SCOUT & DELAY (TC) | $399.97 | $623.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Lakewood Health Center Baudette · Baudette, MN ESOPHAGUS | $402.64 | $719.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health Duluth Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI CONTRAST XRAY ESOPHAGUS; INCL SCOUT & DELAY (TC) | $411.18 | $623.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's Children's Hospital Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI CONTRAST XRAY ESOPHAGUS; INCL SCOUT & DELAY (TC) | $411.18 | $623.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI CONTRAST XRAY ESOPHAGUS; INCL SCOUT & DELAY (TC) | $411.18 | $623.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Aitkin Community Hospital Aitkin · Aitkin, MN HC ESOPHAGRAM - FL ESOPHAGUS BARIUM SWALLOW | $413.56 | $738.50 | Aug 12, 2026 source file |
| Essentia Health St. Joseph's Medical Center Brainerd · Brainerd, MN CONTRAST XRAY ESOPHAGUS; INCL SCOUT & DELAY (TC) | $419.28 | $623.00 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| Alomere Health Alexandria · Alexandria, MN XR ESOPHAGRAM BARIUM | $437.90 | $755.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Saint Elizabeth’s Hospital of Wabasha Wabasha · Rochester, MN HCHG 74220 XRAY, ESOPHAGUS, INCL SCOUT CHEST; SINGLE CONTRAST ST | $443.96 | $729.00 | Jun 27, 2026 source file |
| Rainy Lake Medical Center International Falls · International Falls, MN RAD EXAM ESOPHAGUS | $467.86 | $607.60 | May 6, 2026 source file |
| St. Francis Medical Center Breckenridge · Wahpeton, ND-MN ESOPHAGUS | $475.19 | $779.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Lifecare Medical Center Roseau · Roseau, MN Single contrast X-ray of esophagus | $475.20 | $540.00 | Aug 5, 2026 source file |
| Windom Area Hospital Windom · Windom, MN RAD EXAM ESOPHAGUS | $475.32 | $699.00 | Feb 3, 2026 source file |
| Aspirus St. Luke’s Hospital Duluth · Duluth, MN-WI Esophagram | $481.44 | $885.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Luverne Medical Center Luverne · Sioux Falls, SD-MN RAD EXAM ESOPHAGUS | $526.40 | $658.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Thief River Falls Medical Center Thief River Falls · Thief River Falls, MN RAD EXAM ESOPHAGUS | $537.60 | $672.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| St. Joseph's Area Health Services Park Rapids · Park Rapids, MN ESOPHOGRAM | $539.84 | $964.00 | Sep 30, 2026 source file |
| Astera Health Wadena · Wadena, MN Xr Esophagram Barium | $548.72 | $760.00 | Feb 20, 2026 source file |
| Stevens Community Medical Center Morris · Morris, MN Single contrast X-ray of esophagus | $600.00 | $800.00 | Jun 26, 2026 source file |
| Childrens Health Care Minneapolis · Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI FL ESOPHAGRAM | $609.00 | $609.00 | May 7, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Worthington Medical Center Worthington · Worthington, MN RAD EXAM ESOPHAGUS | $618.40 | $773.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Canby Medical Center Canby · Canby, MN RAD EXAM ESOPHAGUS | $652.00 | $815.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Sanford Bemidji Medical Center Bemidji · Bemidji, MN RAD EXAM ESOPHAGUS | $668.00 | $835.00 | Mar 4, 2026 source file |
| Aspirus Lake View Hospital Two Harbors · Two Harbors, MN Esophagram | $728.36 | $885.00 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
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
File date When the hospital last updated its price file, as the file says itself. A dash means the file gives no date.
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
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | 20 | $91.70 | $274.20 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | 7 | $144.64 | $411.18 |
| Brainerd, MN | 2 | $212.16 | $315.72 |
| Faribault-Northfield, MN | 2 | $208.99 | $250.00 |
| Aitkin, MN | 1 | $413.56 | $413.56 |
| Alexandria, MN | 1 | $437.90 | $437.90 |
| Baudette, MN | 1 | $402.64 | $402.64 |
| Bemidji, MN | 1 | $668.00 | $668.00 |
| Canby, MN | 1 | $652.00 | $652.00 |
| Detroit Lakes, MN | 1 | $399.97 | $399.97 |
| Fergus Falls, MN | 1 | $334.75 | $334.75 |
| Glenwood, MN | 1 | $94.88 | $94.88 |
| Grand Rapids, MN | 1 | $309.83 | $309.83 |
| Hutchinson, MN | 1 | $291.64 | $291.64 |
| International Falls, MN | 1 | $467.86 | $467.86 |
| Litchfield, MN | 1 | $293.12 | $293.12 |
| Little Falls, MN | 1 | $352.06 | $352.06 |
| Madison, MN | 1 | $399.50 | $399.50 |
| Mora, MN | 1 | $295.40 | $295.40 |
| Morris, MN | 1 | $600.00 | $600.00 |
| New Ulm, MN | 1 | $257.66 | $257.66 |
| Owatonna, MN | 1 | $208.99 | $208.99 |
| Park Rapids, MN | 1 | $539.84 | $539.84 |
| Roseau, MN | 1 | $475.20 | $475.20 |
| Rochester, MN | 1 | $443.96 | $443.96 |
| Staples, MN | 1 | $287.06 | $287.06 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | 1 | $526.40 | $526.40 |
| Thief River Falls, MN | 1 | $537.60 | $537.60 |
| Two Harbors, MN | 1 | $728.36 | $728.36 |
| Wadena, MN | 1 | $548.72 | $548.72 |
| Windom, MN | 1 | $475.32 | $475.32 |
| Wahpeton, ND-MN | 1 | $475.19 | $475.19 |
| Worthington, MN | 1 | $618.40 | $618.40 |
Market A metro area (as the Census Bureau defines it) or, outside metro areas, a town. Each links to every hospital price there.
Hospitals How many hospitals publish a cash price for this code here. Each hospital counts once, at its lowest outpatient cash price.
Lowest The lowest cash price among those hospitals.
Median The middle cash price: half of the hospitals charge less, half charge more. One price per hospital. More
What barium swallow is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Barium swallow explained.
Barium swallow (esophagus X-ray with contrast) in other states
- Alabama$276.42
- Alaska$815.79
- Arizona$341.04
- Arkansas$231.89
- California$605.53
- Colorado$638.10
- Connecticut$644.66
- Delaware$416.23
- District of Columbia$479.63, 3 hospitals
- Florida$840.67
- Georgia$343.53
- Hawaii$490.00
- Idaho$419.90
- Illinois$609.72
- Indiana$465.25
- Iowa$364.41
- Kansas$422.45
- Kentucky$437.32
- Louisiana$215.60
- Maine$361.59
- Maryland$573.68
- Massachusetts$535.50
- Michigan$289.25
- Mississippi$221.60
- Missouri$433.55
- Montana$355.36
- Nebraska$627.25
- Nevada$565.39
- New Hampshire$605.65
- New Jersey$209.65
- New Mexico$490.05
- New York$342.50
- North Carolina$443.00
- North Dakota$358.15
- Ohio$442.50
- Oklahoma$293.54
- Oregon$558.63
- Pennsylvania$460.00
- Puerto Rico$202.50, 4 hospitals
- Rhode Island$446.00
- South Carolina$466.20
- South Dakota$829.00
- Tennessee$219.31
- Texas$521.39
- Utah$660.77
- Vermont$862.64
- Virginia$485.00
- Washington$558.60
- West Virginia$368.51
- Wisconsin$530.00
- Wyoming$456.57
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.