Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Golden Valley Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $551
- Cash Discount Price: $1,396
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.99x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Home State Health | $494 | 88% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $494 - $936 | 88% |
| Aetna | $551 | 99% |
| Humana | $551 | 99% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $661 | 118% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For an Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital in Clinton, MO, the cash median price is $1,396. This facility, which is government-owned, charges significantly less than its gross rate of $2,327, though the cash price remains higher than the Medicare amount of $558.25. When comparing against the local market, the cash rate is notably higher than the median negotiated rate of $551 and the national average for this procedure. While commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have negotiated rates ranging from $494 to $936 depending on the specific plan, patients with high-deductible plans might find that paying the cash price of $1,396 upfront could result in lower out-of-pocket costs if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds this amount.
To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, it is crucial to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes that should not be charged separately. Although the facility offers a cash median of $1,396, you should verify if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, which could reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full within a short window. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, you should still check your specific plan details to confirm that the negotiated rates for Home State Health, Humana, and other carriers align with your coverage. Always sign a waiver of insurance submission if you choose to