Ultrasound, leg veins (duplex)
Facility: Meade District Hospital
Billing Code: 93970 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93970
- Insurance Median: $631
- Cash Discount Price: $772
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.59x 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 259% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 159%). 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 | $631 | 259% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the ultrasound of leg veins (duplex) at Meade District Hospital in Meade, KS, the cash price is $772.00, which matches the facility's median cash rate. This cash price is significantly higher than the state average, reflecting the facility's status as a Critical Access Hospital with government ownership. While commercial insurance typically negotiates a lower rate of $631.00 for this service, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more affordable if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds $772.00. It is important to note that the median paid amount is currently unavailable for this code, so patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling.
To maximize savings, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront. Since hospitals often charge 5x more than other in-network providers, it is crucial to compare this facility's rates against the broader market rather than assuming in-network status guarantees the lowest price. Additionally, because over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, patients should request a detailed, itemized statement before paying to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered. Finally, while the facility's rates are compared to Medicare benchmarks to understand markup, the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at this in-network facility.