Ultrasound, thyroid and neck
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 76536 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 76536
- Insurance Median: $884
- Cash Discount Price: $698
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.28x 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 828% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 728%). 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 | $791 | 741% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $838 | 785% |
| Aetna | $838 | 785% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $884 | 828% |
| Cigna | $884 | 828% |
| First Health - All Plans | $884 | 828% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $884 | 828% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 76536 (Ultrasound, thyroid and neck) at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, KS, the facility's cash median rate is $698.00, which is lower than the state average of $884.00. While the facility's negotiated rate with major payers like Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare is $884.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more advantageous if their insurance allows exceed the cash rate. It is important to note that while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should verify their specific plan details before scheduling, as commercial negotiated rates often include administrative costs that can make them higher than direct cash payments.
Patients should be aware that commercial insurance contracts can sometimes result in higher costs than expected, particularly if the facility's negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, it is always prudent to request a self-pay or prompt-pay discount before receiving care, as these upfront payment incentives can significantly reduce the final amount owed. If a patient receives an itemized bill, they should request a full line-by-line audit to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written dispute.