Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Southwest Medical Center
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $2,263
- Cash Discount Price: $2,489
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.05x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 405% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 305%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare (plans) | $731 | 131% |
| Wppa | $1,051 - $2,263 | 188% |
| Health_Choice | $1,051 - $2,263 | 188% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Primary_Network | $1,276 - $2,748 | 229% |
| United_Healthcare_Commercial | $1,306 - $2,812 | 234% |
| Omni_Network | $1,351 - $2,909 | 242% |
| National_Beef_Packing | $1,351 - $2,909 | 242% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Auto | $1,351 - $2,909 | 242% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Complementary_Network | $1,396 - $3,006 | 250% |
| Blue_Cross_Blue_Shield_Kansas | $1,532 | 274% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For an echocardiogram at Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, KS, the cash median price is $2,489, which is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rates ranging from $1,051 to $2,909 across various payers. While the facility's cash price is higher than the Medicare benchmark of $558.25, it remains significantly below the gross charge of $3,111.00. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash median of $2,489.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates for in-network plans like Wppa and Health_Choice can exceed $2,263.00. To minimize out-of-pocket costs, it is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed.
When reviewing the itemized bill, consumers should avoid accepting summary invoices that obscure individual charges, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Instead, request a full CPT-coded statement to verify that the procedure code 93306 is accurately billed without unnecessary add-ons. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still verify their deductible status before scheduling, as high negotiated rates may still apply if the deductible has not been met. For the most accurate pricing, always compare the facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the inflated chargemaster list, ensuring you understand the true cost of care before proceeding.