Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Stanton County Hospital
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $1,532
- Cash Discount Price: $1,575
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.74x 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 274% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 174%). 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 | $1,456 - $1,532 | 261% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $1,544 | 277% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $1,575 | 282% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) at Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, KS, the cash price is $1,575, which matches the facility's gross charge and the median paid by insurers. This rate is significantly higher than the state average, reflecting the typical markup found in Critical Access Hospitals. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Healthy Blue have negotiated rates ranging from $1,456 to $1,575, these amounts often exceed the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the $1,575 cash price directly, as this avoids the administrative costs and potential out-of-pocket maximums associated with insurance claims. It is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying out-of-pocket can sometimes result in lower total costs if your insurance allowed amount is higher than the cash rate.
To ensure you are not overcharged, you should request a detailed, itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice that groups services into broad categories. Hospitals may bill separately for components of a procedure, such as sutures or scalpel supplies, which should be bundled into the main code, or they may include charges for services that were never rendered. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance payment, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Additionally, ask the hospital about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if you pay in full upfront, bypassing the costly insurance claims processing cycle.