Electrocardiogram (EKG, tracing only)
Facility: Southwest Medical Center
Billing Code: 93005 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93005
- Insurance Median: $305
- Cash Discount Price: $276
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.06x 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 $60.27 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 506% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 406%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wppa | $200 - $380 | 332% |
| Health_Choice | $200 - $380 | 332% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Primary_Network | $243 - $462 | 403% |
| United_Healthcare_Commercial | $249 - $473 | 413% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Auto | $257 - $489 | 426% |
| National_Beef_Packing | $257 - $489 | 426% |
| Omni_Network | $257 - $489 | 426% |
| Multiplan_Phcs_Complementary_Network | $266 - $505 | 441% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 93005, Electrocardiogram (EKG, tracing only), Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, KS, lists a gross charge of $345.00. While the facility's cash median rate of $276.00 is lower than the gross charge, it is important to note that commercial insurance negotiated rates for this service range from $200 to $505 across eight payers, with an average negotiated rate of $305.00. In this specific case, the cash price is actually lower than the typical insurance allowed amount, which can be beneficial for patients with high deductibles who have not yet met their out-of-pocket limits. However, patients should always verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some insurers may negotiate higher rates for this facility than others.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is recommended to request an itemized billing audit if you receive a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, if you are self-pay or have an out-of-network plan, you may be eligible for a prompt-pay discount, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. While the facility is a government-owned acute care hospital, patients should be aware of balance billing protections; under the No Surprises Act, you are generally protected from being billed the difference between the facility's chargemaster and your insurance allowed amount for emergency care or non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Always ask the billing department about self-pay discounts and prompt-pay options before your appointment to secure the