Ultrasound, thyroid and neck
Facility: Wichita County Health Center
Billing Code: 76536 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 76536
- Insurance Median: $841
- Cash Discount Price: $738
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.87x 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 $106.81 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 787% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 687%). 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 | $761 | 712% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $922 | 863% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the ultrasound of the thyroid and neck performed at Wichita County Health Center in Leoti, Kansas, the facility's negotiated rate is $841.00, which is higher than the state average of $761.00 and the county average of $738.00. While this facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can inflate the final cost. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price of $738.00 upfront might result in significant savings compared to your insurance's negotiated rate, especially if your deductible has not yet been met.
To ensure you receive the best possible price, it is essential to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling the procedure. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, you should still request a formal itemized bill to confirm all charges are accurate and that no unbundled codes or services not rendered have been included. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if you settle the bill in full within 30 days, effectively bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.