Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Meade District Hospital
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $2,011
- Cash Discount Price: $2,460
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.60x 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 $558.25 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 360% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 260%). 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 | $2,011 | 360% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) procedure at Meade District Hospital in Meade, KS, the cash price is $2,460.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $2,011.00. This cash price is 3.6 times higher than the Medicare benchmark amount of $558.25, indicating a significant markup relative to the federal government's cost-based reimbursement. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead that can inflate costs beyond the true cost of care. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price directly might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially if your deductible has not yet been met.
To minimize potential costs, we recommend asking the hospital about "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling your appointment. These discounts, typically ranging from 20% to 50%, are offered when patients pay their bill in full upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing. Additionally, since the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, you should verify that all ancillary services, such as lab work or imaging, are covered under your plan's network agreements. Always request a detailed, itemized bill before finalizing payment to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the total charge.