Electrocardiogram (EKG, tracing only)
Facility: F W Huston Medical Center
Billing Code: 93005 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93005
- Insurance Median: $197
- Cash Discount Price: $205
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.27x 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 327% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 227%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $38 - $164 | 63% |
| Aetna | $188 - $196 | 312% |
| Humana | $198 - $207 | 329% |
| Cigna | $212 - $223 | 352% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 93005, Electrocardiogram (EKG, tracing only), F W Huston Medical Center in Winchester, KS, lists a cash median price of $205.00 and a median negotiated rate of $197.00. This cash price is notably lower than the facility's Medicare benchmark of $60.27, with the cash rate representing a 3.3x markup relative to the federal baseline. While commercial payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Humana, and Cigna have negotiated rates ranging from $38 to $223 depending on the specific plan, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash amount. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative claim processing fees.
When reviewing your statement, ensure you request a full itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual charges, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the provider's chargemaster and your insurance allowed amount, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans surprise billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Always verify your deductible status before scheduling, as paying the negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in significant out-of-pocket costs, whereas paying the cash price upfront eliminates administrative delays and potential underpayment