Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound)
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 93306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93306
- Insurance Median: $1,470
- Cash Discount Price: $1,143
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.63x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 263% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 163%). 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.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Preferred Phsic | $980 | 176% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $1,323 | 237% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $1,470 | 263% |
| Cigna | $1,470 | 263% |
| Aetna | $1,470 | 263% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $1,470 | 263% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $1,603 - $1,688 | 287% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) procedure at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS, the facility's cash median price of $1,143 is notably lower than the state average of $1,323, offering a potential savings of $180 for patients paying out-of-pocket. While the facility's median negotiated rate of $1,470 aligns closely with the state average, it remains below the gross charge of $1,633. It is important to note that commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead and contract markups, which can make them higher than cash prices; therefore, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash median rate more cost-effective if their insurance allowed amount exceeds $1,143. To maximize savings, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% when paid in full upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.
When evaluating this facility's pricing, it is critical to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's gross chargemaster list, as Medicare rates represent a scientifically validated baseline reflecting the true cost of care. For this specific CPT code, the Medicare amount is $558.25, and the facility's cash price is approximately 205% of this benchmark, which falls within the typical range for fair commercial pricing. Patients should be aware that assuming an in-network status guarantees the lowest possible price is a common misconception, as negotiated rates vary significantly by payer and plan. Furthermore, if a patient chooses to use insurance, they