Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $861
- Cash Discount Price: $933
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.54x 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.
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 | $41 - $1,620 | 7% |
| Tricare | $65 - $816 | 12% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $71 - $898 | 13% |
| Humana | $816 | 146% |
| Medicare (plans) | $825 | 148% |
| Coventry - All Other Plans | $1,470 | 263% |
| Preferred Healthcare-All Plans | $1,551 | 278% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas - All Plans | $1,551 | 278% |
| Wppa/Providers Care-All Plans | $2,286 | 409% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For CPT code 93306, an Echocardiogram performed at Memorial Hospital in Abilene, KS, the cash price is $933.00, which matches the facility's median paid rate. This cash price is significantly lower than the state average for this service, where commercial negotiated rates typically range from $861.00 to $1,551.00 depending on the payer. While Medicare sets a benchmark of $558.25 for this procedure, commercial insurance plans often negotiate rates that exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield and Tricare have negotiated ranges starting at $41.00 and $65.00 respectively, with maximums reaching $1,620.00 and $816.00, illustrating that in-network coverage does not guarantee the lowest possible cost.
Patients should be aware that paying out-of-pocket can sometimes be more economical than using insurance, particularly if their plan has a high deductible or if the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. Memorial Hospital, a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, offers a cash price of $933.00, which is notably lower than the highest negotiated rates seen for this code, such as the $2,286.00 charged by Wppa/Providers Care. To potentially lower your bill further, you should contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills