Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Sheridan County Hospital
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $2,111
- Cash Discount Price: $3,056
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.78x 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 378% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 278%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Insurance | $1,849 | 331% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $2,111 | 378% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2,903 | 520% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) at Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, KS, the cash price is $3,056.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the data does not provide specific county or state average rates for comparison. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $3,056.00 upfront can sometimes be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for in-network payers like Celtic Insurance ($1,849), Blue Cross Blue Shield ($2,111), and UnitedHealthcare ($2,903) may still result in significant out-of-pocket costs if the patient's deductible has not yet been met.
Patients should verify their specific plan details before scheduling, as commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead that can make them higher than the cash price. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final amount. Additionally, if you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or for services not covered by your plan, you may be subject to balance billing, where you are charged the difference between the provider's full rate and what your insurance pays. To avoid unexpected costs, always request a full itemized bill before agreeing to pay, ensuring every charge is accurate and necessary.