Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $1,951
- Cash Discount Price: $2,060
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.49x 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 349% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 249%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $1,604 - $1,696 | 287% |
| Humana | $1,822 - $1,928 | 326% |
| Aetna | $1,852 - $2,118 | 332% |
| Hpk-All Plans | $1,902 - $2,012 | 341% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,902 - $2,012 | 341% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $2,002 - $2,118 | 359% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital in Medicine Lodge, KS, the cash price is $2,060, which matches the facility's cash median. While commercial insurance plans like Aetna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare negotiate rates ranging from $1,604 to $2,118 depending on the specific plan, these negotiated amounts are generally higher than the cash price. This is a common scenario where paying out-of-pocket can be more cost-effective for patients with high-deductible plans, as the insurance negotiated rate often exceeds the cash price. To potentially lower your cost, you should contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against the Medicare rate of $558.25, which serves as an objective baseline for the true cost of care. In this case, the cash price represents a 3.5x markup over the Medicare amount, a figure that reflects the administrative overhead and contract dynamics typical of commercial billing. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still request an itemized bill to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. If you receive a summary bill, you have the right to demand a detailed, line-by-line statement to identify any errors before finalizing payment.