Ultrasound, abdomen (limited)
Facility: Sheridan County Hospital
Billing Code: 76705 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 76705
- Insurance Median: $187
- Cash Discount Price: $309
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.75x 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.
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 | $183 | 171% |
| Celtic Insurance | $187 | 175% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $294 | 275% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 76705, Ultrasound, abdomen (limited), Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, KS lists a cash price of $309.00, which matches the facility's median cash rate. This cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, reflecting a markup of 1.8 times the federal rate. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, the negotiated rates for in-network payers such as Blue Cross Blue Shield, Celtic Insurance, and UnitedHealthcare range from $183 to $294. These negotiated amounts are generally lower than the cash price, but patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status, as high-deductible plans may result in out-of-pocket costs exceeding the cash rate if the insurance allowed amount is not met.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively contact the hospital to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Since the data does not provide a median negotiated rate lower than the cash price, the cash option may be the most economical choice for those without insurance or with high deductibles. Additionally, because the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, patients should ensure they are not being billed for out-of-network ancillary services. If a bill is received, consumers should request a full itemized audit to identify any errors or unbundled codes before making a payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected.