Ultrasound, abdomen (limited)
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 76705 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 76705
- Insurance Median: $131
- Cash Discount Price: $420
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.23x 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 | $131 | 123% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this ultrasound procedure at Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln, KS, the cash price is $420.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $466.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the data does not provide specific county or state average prices for comparison. However, the negotiated rate for Blue Cross Blue Shield is $131.00, which is significantly lower than the cash price. For patients with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum, paying the cash price of $420.00 upfront may result in a lower total cost than having the insurance company pay the negotiated rate of $131.00 and then requiring the patient to cover the remaining balance through their deductible.
It is important to note that commercial insurance rates often include administrative costs for claims processing and contract management, which can inflate the baseline price. If you are self-pay, you should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%. Additionally, if you receive care from an out-of-network provider, you may be subject to balance billing, where the provider bills you for the difference between their full charge and what your insurance allowed. To avoid unexpected costs, always request an itemized bill that lists specific CPT codes to ensure no services were double-billed or unbundled, and dispute any errors in writing rather than accepting summary invoices.