Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Ashland Health Center
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $2,126
- Cash Discount Price: $1,701
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.81x 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 381% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 281%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $712 | 128% |
| Compalliance-All Plans | $1,701 | 305% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas-All Plans | $1,807 | 324% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $2,083 | 373% |
| Health Choice-All Plans | $2,126 | 381% |
| Medicare (plans) | $2,126 | 381% |
| Medica Mcare - All Plans | $2,126 | 381% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $2,126 | 381% |
| Aetna | $2,126 | 381% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2,126 | 381% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $2,126 | 381% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $3,189 | 571% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) procedure at Ashland Health Center in Ashland, KS, the facility's negotiated rate of $2,126 is significantly higher than the cash price of $1,701. While this facility is a Critical Access Hospital, the data indicates that the negotiated rate aligns exactly with the highest commercial payer rates listed, such as UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, rather than reflecting a lower in-network discount. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $1,701 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which often processes claims at the higher negotiated rate of $2,126 due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying out-of-pocket might result in immediate coverage rather than a large deductible payment.
To minimize potential costs, consumers should proactively ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full within a short window. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, it is advisable to request a detailed, itemized statement before agreeing to any payment plan or signing consent waivers that might waive rights to dispute charges. While the facility's rates are benchmarked against Medicare, which stands at $558.25 for this service, the commercial negotiated rate represents a substantial markup; however, the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, ensuring that the final amount paid is consistent with the negotiated or cash rates discussed