CMS Price Transparency Data

Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)

Facility: Essentia Health Sandstone

Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 93306
  • Insurance Median: $1,504
  • Cash Discount Price: $1,622
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.69x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) at Essentia Health Sandstone is $1,504. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $1,622. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $558.25, this hospital’s rate is 2.69x the Medicare baseline. Located in 705 Lundorff Drive South, Sandstone, MN.
Cash / Self-Pay
$1,622

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$1,504

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$558.25

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $558.25 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $1,622 (291%)
Insurance Median: $1,504 (269%)
Cash: $1,622 (291% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $1,504 (269% of 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 269% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 169%). 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.

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group Contract Rate Range vs. Medicare Reference
Primewest $532 95%
Itasca Med Care $548 98%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $843 - $1,763 151%
Blue Plus Pmap Pcc Prime $843 - $1,207 151%
Medica Access $874 - $1,367 157%
Healthpartners Care Pmap $882 158%
Sanford Healthplan $941 - $991 169%
Advocare/Security Health $1,032 185%
Freedom Blue Ppo $1,032 185%
Healthpartners Care Msho / Mcr Adv $1,032 185%
Imcare Msho Pcc Prime $1,032 185%
Imcare Msho Ref Req $1,032 185%
Medica Advantage Solutions $1,032 185%
Medica Msho/Dual Solutions $1,032 185%
Medica Prime Solution Group $1,032 185%
Medicare (plans) $1,032 185%
Nd Va Administration $1,032 185%
Platinum Blue/Vantage Blue $1,032 185%
Primewest Msho $1,032 185%
Secure Blue Msho $1,032 185%
Ubh Cost Plan $1,032 185%
Ubh Msho $1,032 185%
Ucare Msho $1,032 185%
UnitedHealthcare $1,032 - $1,998 185%
Ucare $1,444 259%
Healthpartners $1,484 - $1,749 266%
Medica $1,569 - $1,745 281%
Medica Uplan $1,569 281%
Wea $1,580 - $1,690 283%
America'S Ppo $1,701 305%
Cigna $1,712 - $1,749 307%
Healthpartners Pcc Prime $1,712 - $1,749 307%
Medica Choice $1,798 322%
Wps $1,822 - $1,844 326%
Aetna $1,866 334%
Security Health $2,195 393%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 705 Lundorff Drive South, Sandstone, MN 55072
  • CMS Rating: No CMS Rating
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Private
  • Hospital Type: Critical Access Hospitals