Ultrasound, abdomen (limited)
Facility: Hamilton County Hospital
Billing Code: 76705 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 76705
- Insurance Median: $165
- Cash Discount Price: $244
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.54x 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.
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 | $55 - $131 | 51% |
| First Health Coventry - All Plans | $140 - $274 | 131% |
| Cigna | $157 - $306 | 147% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $157 - $306 | 147% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $165 - $322 | 154% |
| Aetna | $280 - $548 | 262% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this ultrasound of the abdomen at Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, KS, the cash price is $244.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government ownership, the negotiated rates for in-network payers range from $140 to $548, with a median negotiated rate of $165.00. This indicates that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying cash upfront may be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the cash price is lower than the average negotiated rate. However, patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as some policies may require the full negotiated amount before coverage begins.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is important to distinguish between the facility's gross charges and the actual amounts billed. The Medicare benchmark for this service is $106.81, which serves as a baseline for fair pricing; commercial rates often exceed this significantly due to administrative costs and contract structures. If you receive a bill that includes charges for services not rendered or unbundled components, you should request a formal itemized audit to identify errors, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. Additionally, if you are out-of-network, be aware of federal protections under the No Surprises Act that may prevent balance billing for emergency care or non-emergency services at in-network facilities, and always ask about prompt-pay discounts before check-in to potentially reduce your final balance.