How Much Does a Pelvis X-Ray Cost?
Quick Answer: Pelvis X-Ray Prices (2026)
- Imaging center, self-pay: $75-$250 for 1-2 views (CPT 72170)
- Urgent care: $100-$275, plus a visit fee
- Hospital outpatient: $250-$550; a complete 3+ view study (72190) can reach $1,000+
- Emergency room: $400-$1,000+ for the x-ray, before ER facility and physician fees
- With insurance: usually a $10-$75 copay, or 10-30% coinsurance after your deductible
- Child's AP + frog-leg views: about $75-$250 at an imaging center, $200-$600 at a children's hospital
- UK private: roughly £100-£250; free on the NHS with a referral
A pelvis x-ray is one of the most common imaging studies after falls and car accidents, and it's the standard first test for hip and groin pain in both adults and children. The study itself is simple, a few images taken while you lie on a table, but the price varies enormously by facility. In New Hampshire's state price-transparency tool, for example, estimated uninsured prices for a 1-2 view pelvis x-ray range from about $59 at an urgent care chain to nearly $800 at an academic medical center, with a statewide average of about $242.
This guide covers pelvis x-ray costs by facility, the CPT codes (72170, 72190 and related codes), the difference between a pelvis x-ray and a hip x-ray, pediatric AP and frog-leg views for patients under 18, sacroiliac joint x-rays, insurance and Medicare costs, and when CT or MRI is used instead.
What Is a Pelvis X-Ray?
A pelvis x-ray (pelvic radiograph) images the ring of bone formed by the two hip bones (ilium, ischium and pubis), the sacrum and tailbone at the back, and both hip joints. The standard image is an AP (anteroposterior) pelvis taken while you lie on your back. Depending on the question, extra views may be added: a frog-leg lateral (knees bent and rolled outward), inlet and outlet views for trauma, Judet (oblique) views for the hip socket, or angled views of the sacroiliac joints.
Common reasons for a pelvis x-ray include:
- Suspected pelvic or hip fracture after a fall, sports injury or car accident
- Hip, groin or buttock pain and suspected arthritis in one or both hips
- Childhood limp or hip pain (slipped capital femoral epiphysis, Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease, hip dysplasia follow-up)
- Sacroiliac joint inflammation (sacroiliitis), for example when axial spondyloarthritis is suspected
- Checking hip replacements, surgical hardware or healing fractures
- Bone lesions, Paget's disease or other bone abnormalities
The exam takes 10-15 minutes, needs no preparation, and is painless apart from positioning if you're injured.
Pelvis X-Ray Cost Without Insurance
| Facility Type | Low End | Typical | High End |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freestanding Imaging Center | $75 | $140 | $250 |
| Urgent Care Center | $100 | $175 | $275 |
| Orthopedic Office with X-Ray | $90 | $160 | $300 |
| Hospital Outpatient Department | $250 | $400 | $550+ |
| Emergency Room | $400 | $700 | $1,000+ |
Ranges are typical self-pay prices for a 1-2 view pelvis x-ray (CPT 72170) including the radiologist's read. ER figures cover the imaging only; the ER visit itself adds facility and physician charges, often bringing the total above $1,000.
For a hospital benchmark, HonorHealth in Arizona lists 2025 prompt-pay self-pay prices of $467 for 72170 and $1,085 for a complete pelvis series (72190). Independent imaging centers and urgent care clinics usually charge a fraction of that for the same images. Always ask whether the quote is "global," meaning it includes both the images and the radiologist's interpretation.
Pelvis X-Ray CPT Codes and Medicare Rates
| CPT Code | Description | 2026 Medicare National Amount* | Typical Self-Pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 72170 | Pelvis, 1 or 2 views | About $28 | $75 - $550 |
| 72190 | Pelvis, complete, minimum 3 views | About $43 | $120 - $1,100 |
| 73521 | Both hips with pelvis, 2 views | About $42 | $100 - $600 |
| 72200 / 72202 | Sacroiliac joints, fewer than 3 views / 3 or more views | About $39 (72202) | $90 - $500 |
*Medicare Physician Fee Schedule national non-facility amounts (total RVUs x the 2026 conversion factor of about $33.40), before geographic adjustment.
Medicare's rates show how little the underlying work costs: a 1-2 view pelvis x-ray is valued at under $30 nationally. Commercial insurers typically pay more, and hospital list prices are often ten or more times higher, which is why facility choice matters so much for self-pay patients.
Pelvis X-Ray vs. Hip X-Ray: What's the Difference?
An AP pelvis view shows both hip joints, the pelvic ring and the sacroiliac joints in one image, so it's often the first or only view needed. A hip x-ray focuses on one or both hips and usually combines an AP pelvis with a lateral or frog-leg view of the hip. Hip codes (73501-73503 for one side, 73521-73523 for both sides) already include the pelvis view "when performed," so you shouldn't normally be billed for both 72170 and a hip code for the same images on the same visit. If your bill shows both, ask the facility to review the coding.
Price-wise, the two are similar: a 2-view bilateral hip study (73521) and a pelvis study (72170) fall in the same general price band at most facilities. A complete pelvis (72190) with inlet/outlet or Judet views costs more and is typically ordered for trauma.
Pelvis X-Ray for Children Under 18: AP and Frog-Leg Views
For a child with hip pain, a limp or knee pain that may be coming from the hip, the usual study is an AP pelvis plus frog-leg lateral views. This pair is the standard first imaging for:
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE): the ball of the hip slips off the growth plate, most often in early adolescence. It needs urgent orthopedic care, and the frog-leg view can show slips that are subtle on the AP view. (If a slip is strongly suspected, the technologist may use a cross-table lateral instead to avoid moving the hip.)
- Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: loss of blood supply to the femoral head, usually in younger school-age children.
- Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) follow-up: in young babies, hip ultrasound is used because the hip is still mostly cartilage; x-rays take over once the femoral head has started to ossify, typically from around 4-6 months of age.
Depending on how the order is written, the AP and frog-leg study may be billed as a pelvis exam (72170) or as bilateral hips with pelvis (73521). Either way, expect roughly $75-$250 self-pay at an imaging center and $200-$600 at a children's hospital, or your normal imaging copay with insurance. Medicaid and CHIP cover the study when medically necessary. Children's hospitals cost more but offer pediatric radiologists and child-sized protocols; for a stable, non-urgent follow-up, an imaging center experienced with children is usually fine.
On safety: a pelvis x-ray delivers about 0.6 mSv in an adult (Mettler et al., 2008), roughly two months of natural background radiation; children's doses are lower because exposures are scaled to body size. Routine lead shielding of the pelvis is no longer recommended by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine, because shields can hide the anatomy being examined and modern doses are low. Our x-ray safety guide explains more.
Sacroiliac Joint X-Rays
The sacroiliac (SI) joints connect the spine to the pelvis. When a doctor suspects inflammatory back pain such as ankylosing spondylitis (axial spondyloarthritis), an AP pelvis or dedicated SI joint views (CPT 72200 or 72202) are a common first test. Early inflammation often doesn't show on x-ray, so if x-rays are normal but suspicion remains, an SI joint MRI may follow. For lower back pain without SI-joint concerns, a lumbar spine x-ray is the more usual order.
Pelvis X-Ray Cost With Insurance
| Coverage Type | Typical Cost to You |
|---|---|
| Copay plan | $10 - $30 at an imaging center or office; $50 - $75 at a hospital |
| Coinsurance after deductible | 10-30% of a roughly $60 - $300 negotiated rate |
| High-deductible plan, before deductible | Full negotiated rate, roughly $60 - $300+ (higher at hospitals) |
| Original Medicare (Part B) | 20% of the approved amount after the Part B deductible, usually under $10 for the reading and images; hospital outpatient copays may apply |
| Medicaid / CHIP | $0 - small copay |
Emergency imaging after an accident is covered by virtually all plans, and the No Surprises Act protects you from out-of-network balance billing for emergency care. For planned x-rays, confirm both the facility and the radiology group are in-network. Read more in our insurance coverage guide.
Pelvis X-Ray vs. CT and MRI
| Test | Best For | Typical Self-Pay Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Pelvis x-ray | First look at fractures, arthritis, childhood hip conditions | $75 - $550 |
| CT pelvis | Complex pelvic or acetabular fractures, surgical planning | $300 - $1,500+ |
| MRI pelvis / hip | Hidden (occult) fractures, early sacroiliitis, soft tissue, avascular necrosis | $400 - $3,000+ |
| Pelvic ultrasound | Pelvic organs (uterus, ovaries, bladder); infant hips | $150 - $500 |
X-ray comes first in almost every case because it's cheap, fast and answers the main question. Older adults who can't bear weight after a fall but have a normal x-ray may need an MRI or CT, because some hip fractures don't show on the first x-ray. Note that "pelvic" pain from organs such as the uterus or ovaries is evaluated with ultrasound, not a pelvis x-ray.
Pelvis X-Ray Cost in the UK, Canada and Australia
UK: pelvis x-rays are free on the NHS with a GP, A&E or consultant referral. Privately, a single-area x-ray with report typically costs around £100-£250, with some clinics starting lower; for example, Cobalt Health lists one-body-part self-pay x-rays from £149. Many private providers need a referral. See our UK x-ray cost guide.
Canada: covered by provincial plans with a physician's requisition. Australia: Medicare rebates referred x-rays and many practices bulk-bill; others charge a gap. See our Canada and Australia pages.
How to Save Money on a Pelvis X-Ray
- Choose an imaging center over a hospital for non-emergency x-rays. Savings of 50-70% are common.
- Use urgent care instead of the ER if you can walk and the injury isn't severe. Go to the ER for a high-energy injury, inability to bear weight or severe pain.
- Get the CPT code (72170, 72190 or 73521) and ask two or three facilities for their global self-pay price.
- Check for duplicate billing of a pelvis code and a hip code for the same images.
- Ask for prompt-pay discounts and use HSA/FSA funds. See our cost-saving tips and x-ray without insurance guide.
The Bottom Line
A pelvis x-ray typically costs $75-$250 at an imaging center, $250-$550 at a hospital outpatient department and $400-$1,000+ in an ER without insurance, or a $10-$75 copay with insurance. Children's AP and frog-leg views cost about the same as an adult study at an imaging center and more at a children's hospital. For a non-urgent x-ray, the cheapest choice is almost always an independent imaging center. Related guides: hip x-ray cost, abdominal (KUB) x-ray cost and bone age x-ray cost.
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 Pelvis X-Ray Costs
A 1-2 view pelvis x-ray (CPT 72170) typically costs $75-$250 at an imaging center, $100-$275 at urgent care, $250-$550 at a hospital outpatient department and $400-$1,000+ in an emergency room, before ER visit fees. A complete 3+ view study (72190) costs more, up to about $1,100 on some hospital price lists.
An AP pelvis with frog-leg lateral views for a child usually costs about $75-$250 self-pay at an imaging center and $200-$600 at a children's hospital outpatient department. It may be billed as 72170 (pelvis) or 73521 (both hips with pelvis). With insurance you'll usually pay your normal imaging copay, and Medicaid/CHIP cover it when medically necessary.
CPT 72170 covers a pelvis x-ray with 1 or 2 views, and 72190 covers a complete pelvis with at least 3 views. Sacroiliac joint x-rays use 72200 or 72202, and hip studies that include the pelvis use 73501-73503 (one side) or 73521-73523 (both sides). The 2026 Medicare national amount is about $28 for 72170 and $43 for 72190.
Not exactly. An AP pelvis view shows both hips, the pelvic ring and the sacroiliac joints in one image. A hip x-ray adds dedicated views, such as a lateral or frog-leg view, of one or both hips and is billed with hip codes that already include the pelvis view. The prices are similar, but you shouldn't be billed for both codes for the same images.
Most insured patients pay a $10-$75 copay, lower at imaging centers and higher at hospitals, or 10-30% coinsurance after the deductible. On a high-deductible plan you pay the full negotiated rate, roughly $60-$300 or more, until the deductible is met. With Original Medicare you pay 20% of the approved amount after the Part B deductible.
A pelvis x-ray delivers roughly 0.6 mSv in an adult, about two months of natural background radiation and far less than a CT of the abdomen and pelvis. Children receive lower doses because exposures are scaled to their size. Tell the technologist if you might be pregnant.
No. A pelvis x-ray is a bone study. Pelvic organs such as the uterus, ovaries and bladder are evaluated with pelvic ultrasound, which typically costs $150-$500 self-pay, or with CT or MRI when needed.
A private pelvis x-ray in the UK typically costs around £100-£250 including the radiologist's report, with some clinics starting lower. On the NHS it's free with a referral, and private medical insurance usually covers a referred x-ray subject to your excess.
Sources
- CMS Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, 2026 relative value units for CPT 72170, 72190, 72202 and 73521 (via FastRVU lookup)
- New Hampshire HealthCost: X-ray of pelvis, 1 or 2 views (statewide uninsured estimates)
- HonorHealth radiology self-pay (prompt pay) price list, January 2025
- Mettler FA et al. Effective doses in radiology and diagnostic nuclear medicine: a catalog. Radiology, 2008
- American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) position statement on the use of patient gonadal and fetal shielding, 2019
- Cobalt Health self-pay scan pricing (UK)
Prices are typical ranges, not quotes. Confirm the price with your provider before your appointment.