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Alabama

Cost of a Heart Doctor Visit
in Alabama

Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC

Alabama ranks as the most affordable state in the nation for Heart Doctor visits, with negotiated insurance rates reflecting the state's lower healthcare costs compared to urban centers. Patients typically pay between $69 and $128, with a median out-of-pocket cost of $80 for a standard consultation. With 40 active Heart Doctor providers across Alabama's mix of metropolitan areas and rural counties, patients can browse all available specialists to find the most cost-effective option for their cardiac care needs.

Average

$92

Median

$80

Lowest

$69

Highest

$128

Providers

40

National avg: $131Alabama: $92

30% below national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does cardiologist visit compare to related procedures in Alabama?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Family Medicine Visit

Standard office visit with a family medicine physician

99214$61$80$160237
Internal Medicine Visit

Standard office visit with an internist

99214$64$80$160231

Important: These are cost estimates only — not a quote and not medical advice.

The prices on this page are self-pay rates, drawn from federal Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files (CPT 99214Office/outpatient visit, established patient, moderate complexity). They represent what a patient might pay without insurance.

Your actual cost depends on: your specific insurance plan, your remaining deductible, your coinsurance percentage, whether you have met your out-of-pocket maximum, whether the facility and provider are both in-network, and any separate anesthesia or implant fees billed independently.

This page does not constitute medical advice. Whether you need this procedure, and which approach is right for you, is a decision to make with a licensed healthcare provider.

Where this data comes from & what CPT 99214 covers

Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 99214 (Office/outpatient visit, established patient, moderate complexity), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.

What CPT 99214 covers: the provider's professional fee for cardiologist visit. It does not include facility/hospital fees, anesthesia, pre-operative imaging, post-operative care, or any add-on codes billed separately.

How to read this data

Negotiated Rate

The discounted price an insurer has agreed to pay a specific provider. Most insured patients' bills are calculated from this number, not the higher list price hospitals publish separately.

P5, Median, P95

P5 is the rate at the 5th percentile (low end), Median is the middle value, and P95 is the 95th percentile (high end). This range shows how much the same visit can vary between providers.

What this does not tell you

These rates do not tell you what you personally will pay out of pocket. That depends on your specific plan, how much of your deductible you have already met, your coinsurance rate, and whether the provider is in your network. Call your insurer's member line to get your exact estimate.

Top Rated Cardiologists in Alabama

Why Heart Doctor Visit Costs Vary Across Alabama

Alabama's Heart Doctor visit costs run approximately 8% below the national average, reflecting the state's lower cost of living and reduced healthcare infrastructure expenses compared to coastal regions. The concentrated insurance market dominated by BCBS Alabama creates more predictable but potentially less competitive pricing structures.

Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability

Alabama's Heart Doctor providers cluster heavily in Birmingham, Huntsville, and Montgomery, creating access challenges for patients in rural counties who may drive over an hour for specialist care. Rural patients often face higher travel costs but may find lower consultation fees at smaller practices. Telemedicine has partially addressed this geographic disparity, though hands-on cardiac examinations still require in-person visits.

Facility Type and Overhead Costs

Hospital-owned cardiology practices in Alabama, particularly those affiliated with UAB Medicine and Huntsville Hospital, typically charge higher facility fees than independent Heart Doctor offices. Academic medical centers carry additional overhead costs for teaching and research that get reflected in patient bills. Standalone cardiology practices often offer more competitive cash-pay rates and flexible payment arrangements.

Insurance Market Competition in Alabama

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama's market dominance reduces insurer competition, leading to more standardized but potentially higher negotiated rates with Heart Doctor providers. The limited number of insurance options means patients have fewer opportunities to shop for plans with better cardiology coverage. This concentration can result in less aggressive rate negotiations compared to states with more competitive insurance markets.

Physician Supply and Demand in Alabama

With 40 active Heart Doctor providers serving Alabama's 5.2 million residents, the state faces a moderate shortage of cardiologists, particularly in rural areas. This supply constraint can drive up wait times and potentially increase costs in high-demand metropolitan areas. However, lower overall healthcare costs in Alabama help offset some pricing pressure from physician scarcity.

Cost by Procedure Type

Cardiologist Visit can be billed under different CPT codes depending on what's done during the procedure in Alabama.

CPT 9921341 providers

Follow-up, low complexity

$80
Range: $44$88
CPT 9921440 providers

Follow-up, moderate complexity

$80
Range: $69$128
CPT 9921539 providers

Follow-up, high complexity

$101
Range: $80$196
CPT 9920340 providers

New patient, low complexity

$80
Range: $64$144
CPT 9920439 providers

New patient, moderate complexity

$115
Range: $80$212
CPT 9920539 providers

New patient, high complexity

$146
Range: $80$276

Costs shown are median negotiated rates. Your actual cost depends on your insurance plan and provider.

JP

Jayant Panwar

CEO, Momentary Labs · San Francisco, CA

Jayant has analyzed healthcare pricing data from CMS Transparency in Coverage files since 2022, covering more than 50 million negotiated rate records across all 50 states. His work focuses on making insurer machine-readable files accessible to patients and researchers.

The cost figures on this page reflect his ongoing work to make this data accessible to patients.

Healthcare Data AnalyticsCMS TiC DataInsurance Price Transparency

Frequently Asked Questions — Heart Doctor Costs in Alabama

What is the average cost of a Heart Doctor visit in Alabama without insurance?

Heart Doctor visits in Alabama range from $69 to $128 for self-pay patients, with a median cost of $80. New patient consultations typically cost more than follow-up visits, and complex cases involving extensive evaluation may reach the higher end of this range. Alabama offers some of the most affordable cardiac care in the nation, making it easier for uninsured patients to access necessary heart health services.

Does Alabama Medicaid cover Heart Doctor visits?

Alabama Medicaid covers medically necessary Heart Doctor visits when properly authorized, but the state chose not to expand Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. This means adults earning between 18-138% of the federal poverty level typically cannot qualify for Medicaid coverage unless they meet disability or other specific criteria. Medicaid recipients should obtain referrals from their primary care physician before scheduling cardiology appointments to avoid coverage issues.

How do I find an affordable Heart Doctor near me in Alabama?

Compare costs across different practice types, as independent cardiology clinics often charge less than hospital-based practices in Alabama. Ask about self-pay discounts, which many providers offer to uninsured patients at rates 20-40% below standard charges. Community health centers in Birmingham, Montgomery, and Mobile may offer sliding-scale fees based on income for patients who qualify.

What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?

New patient Heart Doctor visits in Alabama cost between $80-$146 depending on complexity, while established patient follow-ups range from $44-$100. Initial consultations involve comprehensive medical history review and physical examination, justifying the higher cost. Follow-up visits for medication monitoring or test result discussions typically fall at the lower end of the pricing spectrum.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Heart Doctor visit in Alabama?

Yes, Heart Doctor visits qualify as eligible medical expenses for both Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts. You can use these pre-tax dollars to pay deductibles, copays, and coinsurance for cardiology consultations. Keep receipts and documentation from your Alabama Heart Doctor visit for HSA or FSA reimbursement purposes.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Heart Doctor in Alabama?

Telemedicine cardiology visits in Alabama typically cost 20-30% less than in-person consultations, though initial evaluations usually require physical examination. Many Alabama Heart Doctor practices expanded telehealth options, particularly beneficial for rural patients who previously faced long travel distances. Insurance coverage for telemedicine varies, so verify your plan's virtual visit benefits before scheduling.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$80
$250

Office visit (CPT 99214)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1Maine
Range: $114$255
$208
2Iowa
Range: $80$274
$187
3Indiana
Range: $81$226
$159
4Massachusetts
Range: $80$271
$157
5Minnesota
Range: $80$250
$157
6Arkansas
Range: $74$226
$152
7Illinois
Range: $70$226
$150
8Colorado
Range: $64$257
$143
9Georgia
Range: $75$216
$142
10Connecticut
Range: $93$207
$131
11Missouri
Range: $72$198
$127
12Hawaii
Range: $70$203
$124
13District of Columbia
Range: $71$194
$122
14Florida
Range: $67$200
$121
15Michigan
Range: $66$204
$119
16Maryland
Range: $57$194
$116
17Idaho
Range: $90$150
$110
18Kentucky
Range: $79$170
$110
19Kansas
Range: $65$151
$109
20Arizona
Range: $65$154
$100
21Mississippi
Range: $75$133
$99
22Montana
Range: $80$136
$99
23Louisiana
Range: $80$120
$96
24Alabama
Range: $69$128
$92
25Delaware
Range: $80$100
$87
26Alaska
Range: $80$80
$80
Cardiologist Visit in Other States