Ultrasound, abdomen (limited)
Facility: F W Huston Medical Center
Billing Code: 76705 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 76705
- Insurance Median: $448
- Cash Discount Price: $466
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.19x 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 419% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 319%). 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 | $117 | 110% |
| Aetna | $436 | 408% |
| Humana | $460 | 431% |
| Cigna | $495 | 463% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this ultrasound procedure at F W Huston Medical Center in Winchester, KS, the facility's cash price of $466.00 is notably lower than the negotiated rates paid by major insurers like Aetna ($436), Humana ($460), and Cigna ($495), though it remains below the gross charge of $582.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead that can exceed the direct cash cost. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price of $466.00 upfront might result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to your insurance's allowed amount, provided you have not yet met your deductible. 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.
When evaluating the cost, it is important to compare these figures against the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, which serves as the objective baseline for the true cost of care. The facility's cash rate of $466.00 represents a significant markup over the Medicare amount, a common pricing dynamic where commercial rates reflect local wage indexes and provider costs. If you receive an itemized bill from this facility, you should request a detailed breakdown of CPT codes to ensure no services were unbundled or that charges for items not rendered are included. Given that over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, reviewing the line-by-line statement is the most effective way to identify double-billing or unnecessary charges before making any