CMS Price Transparency Data

Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)

Facility: Carolina East Medical Center

Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 93306
Insurance Median: $1,504
Cash Discount Price: $1,311
vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.69x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) at Carolina East Medical Center is $1,504. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $1,311. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $558.25, this hospital’s rate is 2.69x the Medicare baseline. Located in 2000 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC.

Cash / Self-Pay

$1,311

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: $1,311 (235%)

Insurance Median: $1,504 (269%)

Cash: $1,311 (235% 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.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance 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
Humana	$66 - $522	12%
Inclusive Health (Nchirp)-All Plans	$66 - $522	12%
Tricare	$66 - $2,671	12%
Craven Co. Jail Systems - All Plans	$415 - $900	74%
Pamlico Co Jail-All Plans	$452 - $710	81%
UnitedHealthcare	$595 - $1,899	107%
Medcost Ppo Employees And Retirees	$1,116 - $1,754	200%
Medcost Ppo Ultra (Employees)	$1,116 - $1,671	200%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$1,187 - $1,832	213%
Medcost Ppo City Employees	$1,238 - $1,946	222%
Medcost Ppo County Employee	$1,288 - $2,023	231%
Benefit Mgmt, Svcs-All Plans	$1,445 - $2,270	259%
Medcost Benefit Svc-All Other Plans	$1,502 - $2,361	269%
Aetna	$1,506 - $2,367	270%
Acs Consult Svc Inc-All Plans	$1,535 - $2,412	275%
Medcost Ppo Standard	$1,535 - $2,412	275%
Cigna	$1,547 - $2,431	277%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $1,311.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 93306.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Carolina East Medical Center is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 93306.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.