Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $554
- Cash Discount Price: $1,660
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.99x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $558.25 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $350 | 63% |
| Providrs Care | $757 | 136% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) at Susan B Allen Memorial Hospital in El Dorado, KS, the cash median price is $1,660.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $2,554.00. While the hospital's negotiated rates with UnitedHealthcare and Providrs Care are $350 and $757 respectively, these figures are far below the cash price, illustrating that commercial insurance contracts often result in lower out-of-pocket costs for members who have met their deductibles. However, for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, paying the cash price directly may be more economical than relying on a negotiated rate that could exceed their personal financial threshold if their deductible is not yet met. It is crucial to verify your specific deductible status before scheduling, as assuming an in-network rate is the best price can lead to unexpected costs if your plan has not yet covered the service.
When evaluating the cost against Medicare benchmarks, the facility's cash rate of $1,660.00 is approximately 2.97 times the Medicare amount of $558.25, which aligns with the typical commercial markup range of 200% to 300% of the federal baseline. This comparison highlights that while the cash price is higher than the Medicare rate, it remains substantially lower than the gross chargemaster list price, avoiding the common pitfall of comparing discounts to inflated list charges. To maximize savings, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing