Electrocardiogram (EKG, tracing only)
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 93005 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93005
- Insurance Median: $143
- Cash Discount Price: $113
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.37x 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 237% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 137%). 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 | $128 | 212% |
| Aetna | $135 | 224% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $135 | 224% |
| First Health - All Plans | $142 | 236% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $142 | 236% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $142 | 236% |
| Cigna | $142 | 236% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this electrocardiogram (EKG) service at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, KS, the facility's cash median rate of $113.00 is notably lower than the state average of $143.00. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for major payers like Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Cigna all average $142.00 to $143.00. This scenario highlights how commercial insurance contracts often result in higher out-of-pocket costs than self-pay options, particularly when administrative fees inflate the allowed amount above the cash price.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is essential to request a full itemized bill before finalizing payment, as summary invoices can obscure individual line items or unbundled charges. Additionally, since balance billing protections under the No Surprises Act generally apply to out-of-network care at in-network facilities, you should verify that all ancillary services included in your care were properly billed at in-network rates. Finally, do not hesitate to ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total amount due by 20% to 50% if settled upfront, effectively bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.