Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Clara Barton Hospital
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $2,354
- Cash Discount Price: $1,831
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.22x 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 422% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 322%). 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 | $1,517 | 272% |
| 6 Degrees Health - All Plans | $1,830 | 328% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $2,092 | 375% |
| Phcs - All Plans | $2,354 | 422% |
| Aetna | $2,354 | 422% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2,354 | 422% |
| Hlth Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $2,406 | 431% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, KS, the negotiated rates paid by insurance carriers range from $1,517 to $2,406, with a median negotiated amount of $2,354. While these in-network rates are significantly higher than the cash price of $1,831, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash directly more cost-effective if their insurance allows them to bypass the administrative fees inherent in the billing cycle. It is important to note that the facility's negotiated rate of $2,354 is substantially higher than the state average, reflecting the specific contract dynamics between this Critical Access Hospital and commercial payers.
When evaluating the cost of this service, it is crucial to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's gross charge list. The Medicare reimbursement rate for this procedure is $558.25, which serves as the objective baseline for fair pricing; commercial rates typically range from 200% to 300% of this amount, whereas fair pricing is generally defined as 120% to 150%. Additionally, patients should inquire about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment, effectively bypassing the costly claims processing that inflates insurance rates. Always request a self-pay classification before check-in to ensure you are eligible for these immediate discounts and avoid automatic claims submission that would void the cash agreement.