Ultrasound, thyroid and neck
Facility: Stanton County Hospital
Billing Code: 76536 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 76536
- Insurance Median: $469
- Cash Discount Price: $390
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.39x 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 $106.81 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 439% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 339%). 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 | $218 - $524 | 204% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $225 - $540 | 211% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $229 - $551 | 214% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the ultrasound of the thyroid and neck at Stanton County Hospital in Johnson, KS, the cash price is $390.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. This cash rate is significantly higher than the national Medicare benchmark of $106.81, reflecting the typical markup found in commercial healthcare pricing. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that commercial insurance negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract structures. In this case, the median negotiated rate is $469.00, which is higher than the cash price, suggesting that paying out-of-pocket might be the most cost-effective option for individuals with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their coverage thresholds.
The facility's pricing for this service ranges from $218 to $551 depending on the specific Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, with three different payer tiers identified. Although the lowest negotiated rate of $218 is lower than the cash price, it is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as you may still be responsible for the full negotiated amount if you have not met your out-of-pocket limit. To potentially reduce costs further, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can offer fee reductions of 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Additionally, if you receive a bill after using insurance, request a full itemized audit to ensure no errors or unbundled charges exist, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected.