Ultrasound, leg veins (duplex)
Facility: Stanton County Hospital
Billing Code: 93970 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93970
- Insurance Median: $898
- Cash Discount Price: $945
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.68x 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 $243.77 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 368% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 268%). 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 | $457 - $898 | 187% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $926 | 380% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $945 | 388% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 93970, representing an ultrasound of leg veins, Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, KS, lists a cash median price of $945.00, which matches the gross charge and the highest negotiated rate among the three payers. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, the cash price is notably higher than the state average for this service. Patients should be aware that cash payments can sometimes be more cost-effective than using insurance if their plan's negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, though this specific data shows the cash rate is the maximum. It is always advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront.
When evaluating the cost relative to Medicare, the facility's cash rate of $945.00 represents a 3.7x markup compared to the Medicare benchmark of $243.77. This significant difference highlights the importance of using Medicare rates as a baseline for understanding true costs rather than relying on the hospital's full chargemaster list. Although the median negotiated amount across payers is $898.00, which is lower than the cash price, patients must verify their specific plan's allowed amount and deductible status before scheduling, as high deductibles could result in paying the full negotiated rate. To ensure accuracy, consumers should request an itemized bill that breaks down every CPT code and service to avoid errors or unbundled charges that may inflate the final amount owed.