Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $2,495
- Cash Discount Price: $1,970
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.47x 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 447% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 347%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers - All Plans | $2,232 - $2,234 | 400% |
| Aetna | $2,363 - $2,365 | 423% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $2,363 - $2,365 | 423% |
| Cigna | $2,495 - $2,497 | 447% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $2,495 - $2,497 | 447% |
| First Health - All Plans | $2,495 - $2,497 | 447% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2,495 - $2,497 | 447% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) procedure at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, KS, the facility's cash median rate of $1,970.00 is lower than the state average of $2,495.00. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash upfront more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for in-network payers like Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare range from $2,232 to $2,497. These commercial rates exceed the cash price, meaning that utilizing insurance could result in higher out-of-pocket costs if the patient's deductible has not yet been met. To secure the lowest possible price, patients should explicitly request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill.
The facility's billing practices align with federal protections and standard industry benchmarks, with a Medicare amount of $558.25 serving as the baseline for evaluating pricing markups. Although the facility is in-network for all listed carriers, patients should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act. If a patient receives an itemized bill, they are encouraged to request a detailed, line-by-line audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. By comparing the facility's rates directly to the Medicare benchmark and verifying the specific allowed amounts for their plan, consumers can avoid unexpected charges and ensure they are paying