Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Clay County Medical Center
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $1,688
- Cash Discount Price: $1,777
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.02x 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 302% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 202%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $1,653 | 296% |
| Wppa/Providrs Care- All Plans | $1,653 | 296% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $1,688 | 302% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1,688 | 302% |
| Multiplan- All Plans | $1,688 | 302% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) at Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, KS, the facility's cash price of $1,777 is identical to the state average for this service. While commercial insurance plans like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare negotiate a lower rate of $1,688, this amount remains higher than the cash price. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price directly may result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to insurance reimbursement, as the negotiated rate exceeds the cash rate. It is important to note that the facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, lists a cash median of $1,777, which serves as the baseline for self-pay patients.
Patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services are billed separately. To ensure you are not overcharged, always request an itemized bill before paying, as summary bills often hide unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, since the cash price is already competitive with the state average, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts or self-pay rates before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can further reduce your total cost.