Ultrasound, abdomen (limited)
Facility: Clay County Medical Center
Billing Code: 76705 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 76705
- Insurance Median: $163
- Cash Discount Price: $175
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.53x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Multiplan- All Plans | $27 - $523 | 25% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $35 - $523 | 33% |
| Wppa/Providrs Care- All Plans | $50 - $512 | 47% |
| Aetna | $50 - $512 | 47% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $52 - $523 | 49% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the ultrasound procedure "Ultrasound, abdomen (limited)" at Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, KS, the cash price is $175.00, which matches the facility's cash median. This rate is significantly lower than the negotiated rates paid by major insurers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, which range between $50 and $523 depending on the plan. While commercial insurance contracts often cap payments at these negotiated levels, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective, as the insurance allowed amount frequently exceeds the cash rate. To secure the lowest possible price, patients should explicitly ask the facility about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%.
When evaluating the cost relative to the broader healthcare landscape, it is important to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's full chargemaster list. The Medicare amount for this service is $106.81, and the facility's negotiated rate of $163.00 represents a markup of approximately 1.5 times the Medicare rate, which falls within the typical range for fair commercial pricing. Because the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, its pricing structure may differ from larger urban centers, but the cash price remains the most transparent baseline for consumers. If you receive a bill that includes unexpected charges beyond the negotiated or cash rate, you should request a full itemized audit to verify that no services were double-billed or unbundled, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written dispute.