Ultrasound, leg veins (duplex)
Facility: Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center
Billing Code: 93970 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93970
- Insurance Median: $286
- Cash Discount Price: $1,354
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.17x 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 $243.77 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $219 - $348 | 90% |
| Aetna | $219 - $353 | 90% |
| Triwest | $220 | 90% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $223 - $503 | 91% |
| Cigna | $549 | 225% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 93970, representing an ultrasound of leg veins, the Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center in Wichita lists a cash median price of $1,354.00, which is slightly lower than the gross charge of $1,361.00. While the facility's cash rate is competitive, it is important to note that commercial insurance negotiated rates vary significantly by plan. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna have negotiated ranges starting as low as $219, whereas Cigna's negotiated rate is $549.00. Patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying the cash price directly is more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's allowed amount could exceed the cash rate, potentially leading to higher out-of-pocket costs if the deductible has not been met.
When evaluating the facility's pricing against benchmarks, the Medicare amount for this service is $243.77, with a vs_medicare ratio of 1.2, indicating the cash price is 120% of the Medicare baseline. This aligns with fair pricing standards, as commercial rates typically range from 200% to 300% of Medicare, though this specific cash rate remains relatively close to the federal benchmark. To maximize savings, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Additionally, since the facility is an Acute Care Hospital in a Voluntary non-profit setting, verifying the specific allowed amount for your insurance plan before scheduling is crucial to avoid unexpected balance billing