Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $2,512
- Cash Discount Price: $1,527
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.50x 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 450% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 350%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Health | $111 | 20% |
| Cigna | $111 | 20% |
| Humana | $111 | 20% |
| Kaiser | $111 | 20% |
| Aetna | $111 - $3,054 | 20% |
| Medicare (plans) | $111 | 20% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $111 - $1,801 | 20% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $647 | 116% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2,512 | 450% |
| Wpaa | $2,672 | 479% |
| Christian Health Aid | $3,054 | 547% |
| Multiplan | $3,054 - $3,435 | 547% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $3,435 | 615% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) procedure at Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City, the cash median price is $1,527, which is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rates ranging from $1,111 to $3,435 depending on the insurance plan. While many commercial payers like Aetna and Multiplan have negotiated rates that exceed the cash price, Medicare serves as a critical benchmark for fair pricing; the facility's Medicare allowed amount of $558.25 is substantially lower than the cash rate, indicating that commercial contracts often include administrative markups. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash rate of $1,527 directly, as this avoids the higher negotiated amounts charged by insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Wpaa, provided they have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is essential to request a full itemized bill before finalizing payment, as summary invoices often obscure individual line items that could be disputed for unbundling or services not rendered. If you proceed with insurance, be aware that the facility's negotiated rates vary widely, with some plans like Kansas Health and Cigna at $1,111, while others like Christian Health Aid and Health Partners Of Kansas are at $3,054 and $3,435 respectively. Additionally, you should inquire about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the cash balance by 20% to 50% if paid upfront, and verify whether any ancillary services, such as specific lab tests or medications, might be billed separately as out-of-network charges despite being performed at