Upper GI series cost in Maryland
In Maryland, 15 hospitals publish a cash price for upper GI series (X-ray of esophagus, stomach and duodenum with contrast): from $319.40 to $1,066.59, with a median of $701.17. The lowest price is at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (Towson). The highest price is 3.3× the lowest.
- The median here, $701.17, is 27% above the US median of $553.20.
- That is 3.9× Medicare's 2026 national rate for the same service ($179.20).
- Maryland ranks 39th of 51 states by median, cheapest first.
- 2 of 15 hospitals list a cash price equal to their full list price, with no self-pay discount.
Why Maryland prices look low: Maryland is the only state where a commission (the HSCRC) sets hospital rates for every payer, so its hospitals publish prices far below the rest of the country. A separate physician fee may still apply.
Maryland law (Health-General §19-214.1) requires hospitals to give free medically necessary care to patients with family income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level and to cut the bill by 75% up to 250% and 60% up to 300%. With medical debt above 25% of family income in a year, discounts reach up to 500%. Immigration status does not count. Ask the hospital for its financial assistance application. Other states' laws.
Outpatient cash prices, one line per hospital — its lowest listed price for code 74240. Prices for both sides of the body and inpatient prices are not mixed in. Collected Oct 29, 2026. See them on a map
Hospitals in Maryland, cheapest first
| Hospital | Cash price | List price | File date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Baltimore Medical Center lowest Towson · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD HC GI Series Upper | $319.40 | $325.92 | Jul 1, 2026 source file |
| UPMC Western Maryland Cumberland · Cumberland, MD-WV XR UPPER GI SERIES | $393.00 | $655.00 | Mar 2, 2026 source file |
| Frederick Health Hospital Frederick · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV XR GI SERIES | $446.90 | $456.02 | Mar 17, 2025 source file |
| MedStar St. Mary's Hospital Leonardtown · Lexington Park, MD GI TRAC W/ SCT W/ CONT | $464.28 | $473.75 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Union Hospital of Cecil County Elkton · Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD XRAY,UPPER GI TRACT,INL SCOUT ABD,SINGLE-CONTRAST STUDY GLR | $522.77 | $522.77 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Mercy Medical Center Baltimore · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD HC RADEX GI TRACT UPPER W/WO DELAYED IMAGES, SINGLE CONTRAST STUDY | $540.32 | $551.35 | Jan 1, 2026 source file |
| TidalHealth Peninsula Salisbury · Salisbury, MD HC GASTROGRAFIN GI W SCOUT W/WO DELAYED IMAGES | $662.01 | $675.52 | Mar 19, 2026 source file |
| MedStar Southern Hospital Center Clinton · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV BC-XR UPPER GI SNGL CON W SBFT | $701.17 | $715.48 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| MedStar Harbor Hospital Baltimore · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD BC-XR UPPER GI SNGL CON W SBFT | $703.79 | $718.15 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Atlantic General Hospital Berlin · Ocean Pines, MD Radiologic examination, upper gastrointestinal tract, including scout abdominal radiograph(s) and delayed image(s), when performed; single-contrast (eg, barium) study | $750.27 | $750.27 | Apr 10, 2026 source file |
| MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital Baltimore · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD GI TRAC W/ SCT W/ CONT | $801.02 | $817.37 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center Baltimore · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD BC-XR UPPER GI SNGL CON W SBFT | $820.46 | $837.20 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital Baltimore · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD UGI w or w/o KUB Fluoroscopy | $900.78 | $919.16 | Nov 5, 2025 source file |
| MedStar Montgomery Medical Center Olney · Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV BC-XR UPPER GI SNGL CON W SBFT | $1,001.90 | $1,022.35 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
| MedStar Union Memorial Hospital Baltimore · Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD BC-XR UPPER GI SNGL CON W SBFT | $1,066.59 | $1,088.36 | Apr 1, 2026 source file |
By metro area
Each metro page compares every listing, including prices for both sides of the body.
| Metro area | Hospitals | Lowest | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | 7 | $319.40 | $801.02 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | 3 | $446.90 | $701.17 |
| Cumberland, MD-WV | 1 | $393.00 | $393.00 |
| Lexington Park, MD | 1 | $464.28 | $464.28 |
| Ocean Pines, MD | 1 | $750.27 | $750.27 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 1 | $522.77 | $522.77 |
| Salisbury, MD | 1 | $662.01 | $662.01 |
What upper GI series is, what the price covers and why prices differ: Upper GI series explained.
Upper GI series (X-ray of esophagus, stomach and duodenum with contrast) in other states
- Alabama$335.14
- Alaska$1,007.97
- Arizona$396.13
- Arkansas$252.80
- California$616.00
- Colorado$858.48
- Connecticut$714.00
- Delaware$579.97
- District of Columbia$763.00, 3 hospitals
- Florida$1,128.40
- Georgia$392.63
- Hawaii$471.10
- Idaho$496.50
- Illinois$705.00
- Indiana$522.40
- Iowa$431.76
- Kansas$543.79
- Kentucky$486.00
- Louisiana$253.40
- Maine$457.50
- Massachusetts$621.00
- Michigan$402.00
- Minnesota$409.92
- Mississippi$285.95
- Missouri$579.15
- Montana$457.49
- Nebraska$510.00
- Nevada$709.25
- New Hampshire$725.68
- New Jersey$232.38
- New Mexico$525.60
- New York$419.61
- North Carolina$519.00
- North Dakota$522.63
- Ohio$593.25
- Oklahoma$380.38
- Oregon$573.74
- Pennsylvania$628.95
- Puerto Rico$131.50
- Rhode Island$494.00
- South Carolina$789.60
- South Dakota$981.60
- Tennessee$258.72
- Texas$673.39
- Utah$995.71
- Vermont$1,165.64
- Virginia$831.60
- Washington$661.60
- West Virginia$374.75
- Wisconsin$685.00
- Wyoming$657.32
Median cash price across the state's hospitals.