Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)

For this Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) procedure at Mercy Hospital Pittsburg, Inc, the cash price is $785.00, which is lower than the negotiated rates paid by most commercial insurers. While the facility's cash rate is significantly below the gross charge of $1,208.00, many insurance plans have negotiated rates ranging from $71 to $1,887, with the majority of payers settling between $157 and $1,776. This dynamic suggests that patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may save money by paying the cash price directly, provided they can secure a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount from the hospital before scheduling. It is important to verify these discounts upfront, as waiting until after an insurance claim is processed can result in the facility submitting a claim that voids the cash agreement.

When comparing this facility's pricing to federal benchmarks, the Medicare allowed amount for this service is $558.25. The facility's cash rate of $785.00 represents a markup of approximately 41% over the Medicare rate, which falls within the range of fair pricing (typically 120% to 150% of Medicare) and is notably lower than the commercial negotiated rates seen across many payers. For patients concerned about unexpected costs, it is advisable to request a full itemized billing audit rather than accepting a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, if a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider at this in-network facility, the No Surprises Act generally