Electrocardiogram (EKG, tracing only)
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 93005 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93005
- Insurance Median: $164
- Cash Discount Price: $180
- 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 $60.27 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $164 | 272% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this electrocardiogram (EKG) service at Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln, KS, the facility's cash price of $180.00 is lower than the state average, which is reflected in the 2.7x markup compared to the Medicare benchmark of $60.27. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more affordable than their insurance negotiated rate of $164.00, especially if their deductible has not yet been met. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest possible price can lead to paying significantly more than necessary.
To maximize savings, we recommend contacting the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront. Since commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price, paying the cash price directly can bypass these extra costs. If you do choose to use insurance, ensure you request a waiver of insurance submission to avoid automatic claims processing, which could void any cash discount agreements. Always ask for an itemized bill before paying to confirm that no unexpected charges or errors are included in the final amount.