Ultrasound, leg veins (duplex)
Facility: St Luke Hospital & Living Center
Billing Code: 93970 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93970
- Insurance Median: $320
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.31x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Department Of Health And Environment | $295 - $342 | 121% |
| Bluestem Pace | $295 - $342 | 121% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $295 - $342 | 121% |
| Va Ccn | $295 - $342 | 121% |
| Humana | $295 - $342 | 121% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $295 - $342 | 121% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $298 - $346 | 122% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the ultrasound of leg veins (duplex) at St Luke Hospital & Living Center in Marion, Kansas, the facility's negotiated rates range from $295 to $346 across seven major payers, including UnitedHealthcare and Humana. These commercial rates are significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $243.77, reflecting a markup of 130% compared to the federal baseline. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government district, patients should be aware that cash-pay options are not listed in this report; however, for those with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly can sometimes be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which often includes administrative overhead that inflates the final bill.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the total amount owed by bypassing expensive claims processing fees. It is also important to verify that the facility is truly in-network for your specific plan, as in-network status does not guarantee the lowest possible price, and to avoid balance billing by ensuring all ancillary services are covered under the same contract. Finally, if you receive an invoice, request a full itemized bill to review every line item for errors or unbundled charges, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected through a formal written audit.