Electrocardiogram (EKG, tracing only)
Facility: Saint Luke'S South Hospital
Billing Code: 93005 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93005
- Insurance Median: $430
- Cash Discount Price: $8,987
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.13x 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 713% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 613%). 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 | $21 - $76 | 35% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $125 - $6,196 | 207% |
| Commercial-Contracted [8000] | $218 - $19,545 | 362% |
| Cigna | $288 - $11,200 | 478% |
| Humana | $306 - $24,575 | 508% |
| Transplants-Case Rates [5750] | $334 - $955 | 554% |
| Aetna | $345 - $907 | 572% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $430 - $5,549 | 713% |
| First Health [5512] | $566 | 939% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this electrocardiogram (EKG) service at Saint Luke's South Hospital in Overland Park, Kansas, the facility's cash median price of $8,987 is significantly higher than the state average, which is $60.27. While commercial insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare and Humana negotiate rates ranging from $125 to $24,575, these amounts often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying out-of-pocket. To maximize savings, consumers should verify if the hospital offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid upfront, bypassing the administrative costs and collection fees associated with insurance claims.
It is important to note that while the facility is in-network for many payers, the negotiated rates do not guarantee the lowest possible cost, as some commercial contracts can be substantially higher than the cash rate. Patients should avoid paying balance bills immediately without first disputing them, as the No Surprises Act protects against unexpected charges for out-of-network services at in-network facilities. Furthermore, before finalizing payment, request a full itemized bill to review specific CPT codes and ensure no unbundled charges or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written audit.