Understanding X-Ray Costs in Arkansas
Arkansas offers a diverse healthcare landscape with significant variations in X-ray pricing across different regions and facility types. Understanding these price differences can help you make informed decisions and potentially save hundreds of dollars on your medical expenses.
This comprehensive guide explores X-ray pricing throughout Arkansas, highlighting average costs, price ranges, affordable providers, and strategies to minimize your out-of-pocket expenses while still receiving quality care.
How much does an X-ray cost in Arkansas?
Without insurance, a single X-ray exam in Arkansas typically costs about $110–$320, depending on the body part and where you go. Independent imaging centers sit at the low end; hospital outpatient departments and emergency rooms sit at the high end because they add facility fees. Upfront cash prices listed on MDsave for Arkansas facilities ran from $110 to $169 when we checked on October 12, 2026. For reference, Medicare's 2026 national payment for a 2-view chest X-ray (CPT 71046) is about $33.
How Arkansas X-Ray Costs Compare Nationally
With an average X-ray cost of $134, Arkansas falls below the national average of $151. This positions Arkansas as a relatively affordable state for X-ray services compared to many other states across the country. However, this statewide average masks remarkable price variations between different facilities and regions within Arkansas.
Arkansas vs. National and Neighboring States
Chart values are XRayCost.com estimates of the average self-pay price for a basic X-ray, not survey data. Use the verified listings below for real prices.
Lowest Verified X-Ray Cash Prices in Arkansas (2026)
The prices below are upfront cash prices listed on MDsave for a basic X-ray of one body part (facility and radiologist fees bundled), checked on October 12, 2026. They require a doctor's order and can change, so confirm before you book. Clinics shown with sliding-scale fees are community health centers that charge based on income.
Where X-Rays Cost the Most in Arkansas
We don't publish per-hospital X-ray prices we can't verify from a public source. In general, the highest X-ray bills in Arkansas come from these settings:
The cash-price listings we checked show the same pattern. Arkansas listings were mostly hospital-affiliated: $110 at Northwest Health sites in Bentonville and Springdale and at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital, $123 at hospitals in Russellville, Hot Springs and Benton, $154 at the UAMS imaging center at Premier Medical Plaza, and $169 at UAMS Medical Center and UAMS orthopaedic clinics.
Factors Affecting X-Ray Costs in Arkansas
Several key factors influence the price variations seen across Arkansas's healthcare facilities:
Facility Type
Hospital-based radiology departments typically charge more than standalone imaging centers. Many of Arkansas's rural critical access hospitals have wide-ranging pricing policies, with some offering surprisingly affordable rates while others charge premium prices.
Geographic Location
Urban areas like Little Rock, Fayetteville, and Jonesboro generally have higher healthcare costs than rural areas, though exceptions exist. The Delta region of Arkansas tends to have more affordable healthcare pricing compared to the northwest region of the state.
Hospital System Affiliation
Facilities belonging to larger healthcare systems like Baptist Health, UAMS, or Washington Regional may have standardized pricing policies that influence X-ray costs across multiple locations.
Local Competition
Areas with multiple healthcare providers typically offer more competitive pricing, while regions with limited options may see higher prices due to reduced competition.
How to Save Money on X-Rays in Arkansas
You can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses for X-rays in Arkansas by employing these strategies:
Compare Prices Across Multiple Facilities
As demonstrated by the wide price range ($110 to $257), shopping around can result in substantial savings. Don't hesitate to call different providers to inquire about their cash prices for the specific X-ray you need.
Consider Community Hospitals
Some of Arkansas's smaller community hospitals offer surprisingly affordable X-ray services, often at prices significantly below larger regional medical centers.
Ask About Cash Pay Discounts
Many Arkansas facilities offer significant discounts (often 20-40%) for patients who pay at the time of service rather than being billed.
Look Into Federally Qualified Health Centers
Arkansas has numerous FQHCs that provide imaging services on a sliding fee scale based on income, potentially offering very affordable options for those who qualify.
Check With Your Insurance
If you have insurance, verify which facilities are in-network and what your expected out-of-pocket cost will be. Sometimes the cash price at an out-of-network facility may be lower than your in-network copay or coinsurance.
Common X-Ray Types and Costs in Arkansas
Prices vary not only by facility but also by the type of X-ray needed. Here are typical price ranges for common X-ray procedures in Arkansas:
| X-Ray Type | Average Cost in Arkansas | Typical Range |
|---|---|---|
| Chest X-Ray (2 views) | $165 | $70 - $320 |
| Extremity X-Ray (arm, leg) | $150 | $65 - $280 |
| Spine X-Ray | $250 | $125 - $420 |
| Abdominal X-Ray | $280 | $140 - $450 |
| Dental X-Ray (single) | $22 | $10 - $35 |
| Dental X-Ray (full mouth) | $120 | $70 - $225 |
Table ranges are XRayCost.com estimates of total self-pay prices (facility plus radiologist fee). Hospital and ER bills can run higher; independent imaging centers and the cash-price listings above can run lower.
What Medicare Pays for an X-Ray in 2026
Medicare's fee schedule is a useful benchmark for what an X-ray is actually worth. Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (conversion factor $33.4009), the national payment for the complete exam — taking the images plus the radiologist's interpretation — is:
| X-Ray Exam | CPT Code | Medicare 2026 National Payment |
|---|---|---|
| Chest X-ray, 2 views | CPT 71046 | $33 |
| Hand X-ray, 3+ views | CPT 73130 | $38 |
| Ankle X-ray, 3+ views | CPT 73610 | $37 |
| Knee X-ray, 3 views | CPT 73562 | $42 |
| Lower back (lumbar) X-ray, 2–3 views | CPT 72100 | $40 |
| Abdominal X-ray, 1 view | CPT 74018 | $30 |
Actual Medicare amounts in Arkansas are adjusted up or down for local costs. With Original Medicare you pay 20% of the approved amount after the 2026 Part B deductible of $283. When the X-ray is done in a hospital outpatient department, Medicare also pays the hospital a separate facility fee, so your 20% share is higher there than at an independent imaging center or doctor's office.
Insurance Coverage for X-Rays in Arkansas
Most health plans in Arkansas cover medically necessary X-rays. What you actually pay depends on:
- Deductible: Until you meet it, you usually pay your plan's full negotiated rate for the X-ray.
- Copay or coinsurance: After the deductible, many plans charge a flat copay or a percentage (often 10–30%) of the negotiated rate.
- Network and setting: In-network independent imaging centers are usually cheapest; hospital outpatient and ER X-rays often cost more even in network.
- High-deductible plans: If you have an HSA-eligible plan and haven't met your deductible, compare your plan's negotiated rate with cash prices before you book.
Arkansas expanded Medicaid using private insurance: through the ARHOME program (Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me), most expansion adults are enrolled in private marketplace plans paid for by Medicaid. Arkansas Medicaid and ARHOME plans cover medically necessary X-rays.
Individual plans are sold through HealthCare.gov, and Arkansas Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the state's largest insurer.
Sources
- Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services – Physician Fee Schedule, CY 2026
- FastRVU – 2026 national Medicare payment amounts for CPT 71046, 73130, 73610, 73562, 72100 and 74018
- Medicare.gov – Medicare costs (2026 Part B deductible)
- MDsave – X-ray prices in Arkansas (accessed October 12, 2026)
- CMS – Hospital Price Transparency
- CMS – No Surprises Act and Good Faith Estimates
- FAIR Health Consumer – medical cost lookup
- KFF – Status of State Medicaid Expansion Decisions
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on XRayCost.com is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medical procedure. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Last Updated: October 12, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions About X-Ray Costs in Arkansas
Most self-pay patients in Arkansas pay roughly $110–$320 for a single X-ray exam, depending on the body part, the number of views and the facility. On MDsave, upfront cash prices for a basic X-ray at Arkansas facilities ranged from $110 to $169 when we checked in October 2026. Hospital outpatient departments and emergency rooms generally charge more because they add facility fees. Always ask whether a quote includes the radiologist's reading fee, which is sometimes billed separately.
The lowest upfront prices we could verify in Arkansas were on MDsave: Northwest Health imaging centers ($110, Bentonville & Springdale, AR); Siloam Springs Regional Hospital ($110, Siloam Springs, AR); National Park Medical Center ($123, Hot Springs, AR). Prices were checked in October 2026 and require a doctor's order. Independent imaging centers are generally cheaper than hospital radiology departments. If money is tight, federally qualified health centers charge sliding-scale fees based on income (some have X-ray on site, others refer out), and nonprofit hospitals must have a financial-assistance policy you can apply under.
We estimate a standard 2-view chest X-ray (CPT 71046) in Arkansas at about $165 on average for self-pay patients, with a typical range of $70–$320. Independent imaging centers tend to sit at the low end and hospital outpatient departments and ERs at the high end. For comparison, Medicare's 2026 national payment for the same exam is about $33. With Original Medicare you pay 20% of the approved amount after the $283 Part B deductible.
Under the 2026 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, national payments for common X-rays are about $33 for a 2-view chest X-ray (71046), $38 for a hand X-ray (73130), $37 for an ankle X-ray (73610), $42 for a 3-view knee X-ray (73562), $40 for a lower-back X-ray (72100) and $30 for a 1-view abdominal X-ray (74018). Amounts in Arkansas are adjusted for local costs. You pay 20% of the approved amount after the 2026 Part B deductible of $283, and hospital outpatient X-rays also carry a separate facility payment.
Arkansas expanded Medicaid using private insurance: through the ARHOME program (Arkansas Health and Opportunity for Me), most expansion adults are enrolled in private marketplace plans paid for by Medicaid. Arkansas Medicaid and ARHOME plans cover medically necessary X-rays. Cash-price marketplaces such as MDsave do not accept Medicaid patients, so enrollees should use a facility in their plan's network.
Usually, yes. Urgent care clinics bill an office-level visit plus the X-ray, while a hospital emergency department adds an ER facility fee that can cost far more than the X-ray itself. For a non-life-threatening injury such as a possible sprain or simple fracture, an urgent care clinic with on-site X-ray is typically the cheaper choice. For serious trauma, chest pain or trouble breathing, go to the ER. Some hospital-owned urgent care sites bill like hospital outpatient departments, so ask before you are seen.
Ask your doctor for the CPT code on your order (for example, 71046 for a 2-view chest X-ray), then call two or three facilities and ask for the total price including the radiologist's fee. If you have insurance, your insurer can tell you the in-network rate and your share. Hospitals must post their standard charges, including discounted cash prices, under the federal hospital price transparency rule. If you are uninsured or paying yourself, providers must give you a Good Faith Estimate for scheduled services under the No Surprises Act, and you can dispute a bill that comes in at least $400 above it. FAIR Health Consumer shows typical local prices, and MDsave shows upfront prices where participating providers exist.
The same X-ray can be billed very differently depending on where it is done. Hospitals add facility fees and set prices through insurer contracts, while independent imaging centers compete on cash price. The cash-price listings we checked show this. Arkansas listings were mostly hospital-affiliated: $110 at Northwest Health sites in Bentonville and Springdale and at Siloam Springs Regional Hospital, $123 at hospitals in Russellville, Hot Springs and Benton, $154 at the UAMS imaging center at Premier Medical Plaza, and $169 at UAMS Medical Center and UAMS orthopaedic clinics. The number of views, whether the radiologist bills separately, local competition and your insurance network also change what you pay.