Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Children'S Mercy South
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $341
- Cash Discount Price: $1,132
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.61x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $53 - $3,035 | 9% |
| Healthy Blue | $57 - $1,370 | 10% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $57 - $341 | 10% |
| Wppa Providrs Care | $81 - $2,935 | 15% |
| Healthlink | $89 - $3,974 | 16% |
| Health Midwest Comprehensive Care | $93 - $2,940 | 17% |
| American Healthcare Alliance | $96 - $3,839 | 17% |
| Quiktrip | $99 - $2,940 | 18% |
| Humana | $116 - $3,003 | 21% |
| Orscheln | $117 - $2,935 | 21% |
| Medica | $118 - $2,633 | 21% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $120 - $3,342 | 21% |
| Aetna | $126 - $3,071 | 23% |
| Wellfit/Centrus | $128 - $2,935 | 23% |
| Centivo | $132 - $2,935 | 24% |
| Nebraska Furniture Mart | $137 - $2,935 | 25% |
| Mercy Health | $147 - $3,387 | 26% |
| Coxhealth Network | $149 - $3,342 | 27% |
| Cigna | $152 - $3,139 | 27% |
| Coventry Health Care Of Kansas | $159 - $3,342 | 28% |
| National Preferred Provider Network | $178 - $4,064 | 32% |
| Home State Health | $213 - $1,203 | 38% |
| Multiplan | $3,432 | 615% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) service at Children's Mercy South in Overland Park, KS, the facility's cash price of $1,132 is significantly lower than the gross charge of $2,359. While the facility's negotiated rates for in-network payers generally range from $53 to $4,064, the cash price offers a distinct advantage for patients with high-deductible plans who may not yet have met their coverage thresholds. Although the facility's negotiated rates often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network contracts may result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying directly. Additionally, the facility's negotiated rates average 60% of the Medicare benchmark, which suggests a relatively fair pricing structure compared to the typical 200% to 300% markup seen in commercial settings, though individual payer contracts can vary widely.
To maximize savings, patients should proactively ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before check-in, as these upfront payment incentives can bypass costly insurance billing cycles and administrative fees. It is important to note that balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities under federal law, but patients should still request a full itemized bill to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. Given that over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, reviewing the detailed line items is a critical step in identifying potential overcharges. Finally, while the facility is a voluntary non-profit, patients should confirm their deductible status and whether their specific plan requires them to pay the negotiated rate before