Electrocardiogram (EKG, tracing only)
Facility: Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 93005 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93005
- Insurance Median: $61
- Cash Discount Price: $65
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.01x 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 $60.27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $52 | 86% |
| Humana | $59 | 98% |
| Aetna | $60 - $65 | 100% |
| Hpk-All Plans | $61 | 101% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $61 | 101% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $65 | 108% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this Electrocardiogram (EKG) service at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital in Medicine Lodge, Kansas, the cash price is $65.00, which matches the facility's negotiated rate and the state average. While commercial payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates ranging from $60.00 to $65.00, the Medicare benchmark for this procedure is $60.27. Because the cash price aligns with the facility's negotiated rates and exceeds the Medicare baseline, patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find paying out-of-pocket at the cash rate of $65.00 more cost-effective than using insurance, which could result in higher out-of-pocket costs if their deductible has not been met.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively contact the hospital to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative fees associated with insurance claims. It is also important to request a full itemized billing audit before paying any invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. By comparing the facility's rates directly to the Medicare benchmark and verifying the absence of balance billing protections under the No Surprises Act, consumers can ensure they are paying a fair price that reflects the true cost of care rather than inflated chargemaster lists.