Ultrasound, leg veins (duplex)
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 93970 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93970
- Insurance Median: $752
- Cash Discount Price: $594
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.08x 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 $243.77 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 308% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 208%). 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 | $673 | 276% |
| Aetna | $713 | 292% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $713 | 292% |
| First Health - All Plans | $752 | 308% |
| Cigna | $752 | 308% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $752 | 308% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $752 | 308% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this ultrasound of leg veins (duplex) at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, KS, the commercial negotiated rate is $752, which matches the median paid across all seven commercial payers listed. This rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, reflecting the typical markup found in commercial contracts. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the negotiated amount exceeds the cash price of $594. Although the data does not provide specific county or state averages for comparison, patients should note that cash payment is often the most cost-effective option, particularly for those with high-deductible plans where the insurance allowed amount might exceed the cash rate.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. It is important to verify your deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate of $752 may not be covered if your plan has not yet met its deductible threshold. Additionally, if you receive an itemized bill, request a full line-by-line audit to ensure no errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies. Always confirm the final out-of-pocket cost with the billing department before your appointment to avoid unexpected charges.