Ultrasound, thyroid and neck
Facility: Goodland Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 76536 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 76536
- Insurance Median: $481
- Cash Discount Price: $441
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.50x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 450% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 350%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wppa | $132 - $743 | 124% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $140 - $743 | 131% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $481 | 450% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
This ultrasound service for the thyroid and neck at Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, KS, carries a cash price of $441.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $491.00. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly can be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for in-network payers like Wppa and UnitedHealthcare range from $132 to $743. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should verify their specific plan details and ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling to ensure they are not billed the full negotiated amount.
When comparing costs, it is important to note that the facility's cash rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $106.81, which serves as the objective baseline for healthcare pricing. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average comparisons for this procedure, patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead that can inflate the final cost. To avoid unexpected charges, consumers should request an itemized bill to review every code and ensure no services were unbundled or double-billed, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. If a balance bill arises from an out-of-network situation, patients can dispute the amount under the No Surprises Act rather than paying immediately out of fear of credit damage.