Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Cloud County Health Center
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $1,519
- Cash Discount Price: $653
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.72x 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 272% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 172%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mpi-All Plans | $91 - $1,551 | 16% |
| Pponext-All Plans | $221 - $1,551 | 40% |
| Aetna | $1,470 - $1,519 | 263% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $1,551 | 278% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) at Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, KS, the cash median price is $653.00, which is significantly lower than the state average of $1,510.00. While commercial payers like Mpi-All Plans and Pponext-All Plans have negotiated rates ranging from $91 to $1,551, the facility's cash rate remains the most affordable option for patients without insurance. This pricing structure highlights a common billing dynamic where cash-pay can be cheaper than insurance for those with high-deductible plans, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash price. Patients should verify "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts directly with the hospital before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can further lower the total cost.
When reviewing your bill, it is crucial to request an itemized statement rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Comparing this service to the Medicare benchmark of $558.25 reveals that the cash rate is only 117% of the Medicare amount, which aligns with fair pricing standards typically defined between 120% and 150% of the federal rate. If you receive a bill that appears inflated, you should dispute any charges for unbundled components or services not rendered in writing to the billing supervisor, avoiding verbal disputes to ensure corrections are properly recorded.