Ultrasound, thyroid and neck
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 76536 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 76536
- Insurance Median: $1,591
- Cash Discount Price: $1,237
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 14.90x 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 $106.81 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 1490% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1390%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $503 - $530 | 471% |
| Preferred Phsic | $1,060 | 992% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $1,432 | 1341% |
| Aetna | $1,591 | 1490% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $1,591 | 1490% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $1,591 | 1490% |
| Cigna | $1,591 | 1490% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the ultrasound of the thyroid and neck at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $503 to $1,591 depending on the insurance plan, with a median negotiated amount of $1,591. This is notably higher than the facility's cash median of $1,237 and its median paid amount of $1,060, which aligns closely with the Medicare benchmark of $106.81. When compared to the Medicare rate, the facility's pricing reflects a 14.9% variance. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price of $1,237 upfront, as this amount is lower than the median negotiated rate of $1,591 charged by most payers. To maximize savings, individuals should contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full within a short window.
It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur from ancillary providers or emergency services. Consumers should avoid paying surprise bills immediately without first requesting an itemized billing audit to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. Furthermore, relying solely on the hospital's gross charge of $1,767 as a benchmark is misleading; instead, comparing rates to the Medicare amount provides a more accurate view of the facility's markup. Before scheduling any appointments, patients