Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Saint Luke'S South Hospital
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $3,088
- Cash Discount Price: $3,467
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.53x 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 553% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 453%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $292 - $701 | 52% |
| Commercial-Contracted [8000] | $728 - $4,674 | 130% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $757 - $3,088 | 136% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $904 - $4,339 | 162% |
| Humana | $1,825 - $1,849 | 327% |
| Cigna | $1,861 - $4,386 | 333% |
| Transplants-Case Rates [5750] | $2,022 - $5,778 | 362% |
| Aetna | $2,088 - $5,489 | 374% |
| First Health [5512] | $3,425 | 614% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) at Saint Luke's South Hospital in Overland Park, KS, the cash price of $3,467 is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $5,778 and the Medicare benchmark of $558.25. While the facility's negotiated rates for commercial payers range from $728 to $5,778, the cash price often represents a more affordable option for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, as it bypasses the administrative markup and claim processing fees inherent in insurance billing. It is important to note that while the facility's cash median is lower than the state average for this procedure, patients should verify if their specific insurance plan has a lower allowed amount before scheduling, as some commercial contracts may cap payments below the cash rate.
To ensure you are not overcharged, we recommend requesting a full itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices can obscure unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the provider's chargemaster and your insurance allowed amount, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans such billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Additionally, ask the hospital about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce your final balance by 20% to 50% if you settle the account upfront, effectively trading immediate liquidity for a reduced fee. Always dispute any unexpected charges in writing to avoid credit damage and ensure all billing aligns with your plan's coverage.