X-Ray Cost in Ames, IA (2026): Average Prices & What You'll Pay

What does a x-ray cost in Ames, IA?

Where you have an x-ray done in Ames, IA swings the bill from $88 to $133 for identical care. The median cash price across 2 reporting hospitals is $110. The numbers are pulled directly from federally mandated hospital price transparency files.

Where x-ray costs vary in Ames, IA

Pins show hospitals with price-transparency data (colored by vs. state average) and nearby ambulatory surgery centers, imaging centers, and other facilities (colored by type). Click any pin for facility name and estimated cost range.

26+ people checked prices near them this month.

Iowa's hospital market is dominated by UnityPoint Health and MercyOne (CommonSpirit), with relatively limited inter-system competition in most markets. Des Moines prices run below national averages, but facility fees at affiliated hospital systems can add substantially to the base service rates. University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics is the primary academic referral center. X-ray is the most commoditized of all imaging procedures, and price differences are almost entirely explained by facility type: a hospital outpatient chest X-ray can cost 5–10× more than the same study at an urgent care center or independent imaging clinic. For non-emergency X-rays, asking your physician for a referral to an outpatient imaging center rather than a hospital radiology department is the simplest and most reliable cost reduction available.

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Why prices vary - and what it means for your coverage

Facility classification matters as much as the hospital itself - a hospital-owned outpatient center adds a facility fee that a freestanding clinic does not. Whether the scan happens in a hospital outpatient department (which adds a separate facility fee) or a freestanding imaging center is usually the single biggest driver of price for this procedure.

None of the prices above are what you'll necessarily owe: your deductible, out-of-pocket maximum, and each provider's network status all still apply.

Frequently asked questions: X-ray costs in Ames, IA

How much does an X-ray cost in Ames, IA?

Across 2 Ames, IA hospitals that publish prices, an X-ray ranges from $54 to $167, with a median of $110. Most facilities fall between $82 and $133. What you pay depends on the facility, your insurance, and whether you have met your deductible.

Where is the cheapest place to get an X-ray in Ames, IA?

Based on declared prices, the lowest-cost facility in our Ames, IA data is Mary Greeley Medical Center at about $54. Freestanding ambulatory surgery and imaging centers are often cheaper still and may not appear in hospital price data - ask your doctor whether one is an option.

Why is an X-ray so much cheaper at some Ames, IA hospitals?

Prices vary up to 3.1× because each hospital sets its own list price, cash discount, and insurer-negotiated rates. In Ames, IA, the median cash (self-pay) price is $110 versus a median negotiated rate of $90 - about 1.2× higher. Asking for the cash price or your insurer's negotiated rate is often the single biggest lever on what you pay.

How much will I actually pay out of pocket for an X-ray in Ames, IA?

Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket maximum, and whether the facility is in-network - not just the sticker price. If you have not met your deductible, you will typically pay the negotiated rate in full until you do. Use the CostKits cost forecaster to estimate your specific out-of-pocket amount before you go.

CostKits compiles hospital price transparency data to help families make informed decisions. Track and manage your healthcare costs (free account).