Ultrasound, leg veins (duplex)
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 93970 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 93970
- Insurance Median: $689
- Cash Discount Price: $829
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.83x 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 $243.77 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 283% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 183%). 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 | $459 - $963 | 188% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $503 - $530 | 206% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $620 - $1,300 | 254% |
| Aetna | $689 - $1,444 | 283% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $689 - $1,444 | 283% |
| Cigna | $689 - $1,444 | 283% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $689 - $1,444 | 283% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 93970, representing an ultrasound of the leg veins, Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS, lists a gross charge of $1,185.00. While the facility's cash median price is $829.00, which is lower than the negotiated rates paid by major insurers like Aetna, Cigna, and Preferred Healthcare (ranging from $689 to $1,444), patients should be aware that insurance plans often pay significantly more than the cash price. This occurs because commercial contracts include administrative overhead and risk premiums that can inflate the allowed amount. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the cash price of $829.00 upfront may result in immediate savings compared to your insurance's negotiated rate, provided you have not yet met your deductible.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is critical to request a full itemized bill before paying, as summary bills often hide unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, you should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final amount by 20% to 50% if settled in full within a short window. When evaluating the facility's pricing, comparing the cash rate of $829.00 to the Medicare benchmark of $243.77 reveals a significant markup, which is standard for commercial facilities but highlights the importance of verifying the lowest possible rate. Always confirm your specific plan's allowed amount with the hospital prior to scheduling to avoid unexpected balance billing or surprise costs.