Ultrasound, thyroid and neck
Facility: Hamilton County Hospital
Billing Code: 76536 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 76536
- Insurance Median: $620
- Cash Discount Price: $680
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.80x 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 580% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 480%). 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 | $226 - $481 | 212% |
| First Health Coventry - All Plans | $536 - $620 | 502% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $598 - $693 | 560% |
| Cigna | $598 - $693 | 560% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $630 - $729 | 590% |
| Aetna | $1,071 - $1,239 | 1003% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 76536, "Ultrasound, thyroid and neck," Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, KS, lists a cash price of $680.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. This cash rate is notably higher than the state average for this service, which is $106.81 (Medicare amount). While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield, First Health Coventry, and UnitedHealthcare offer negotiated rates ranging from $226 to $729, these figures often exceed the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash rate directly, as the insurance negotiated rates can sometimes be significantly higher than the upfront cash cost. To maximize savings, it is recommended to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed.
The facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, and the data reflects a vintage of June 2026. Although the provided dataset does not include specific county average comparisons for this procedure, the stark difference between the Medicare benchmark and the facility's cash price highlights the importance of understanding the true cost of care versus the listed chargemaster. If you are using insurance, be aware that while the facility is in-network for several major payers, the administrative costs associated with claims processing often inflate the final billed amount compared to a direct cash payment. To avoid unexpected charges, patients should request an itemized bill before scheduling and verify that all services rendered are accurately coded, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal audit.