Cost of a Echocardiogram Visit
in North Carolina
Reviewed by Momentary Medical Group West PC
North Carolina's healthcare market operates roughly 2% below national cost averages, creating favorable conditions for patients seeking cardiac imaging services. Echocardiogram procedures in North Carolina typically range from $67.56 to $501.18, with a median cost of $194.24 based on negotiated insurance rates across 2,737 active providers statewide. The Tar Heel State's mix of academic medical centers, regional hospitals, and independent cardiology practices offers patients multiple options for accessing diagnostic cardiac imaging services throughout both urban centers and rural communities.
Average
$254
Median
$194
Lowest
$68
Highest
$501
Providers
2,737
3% above national average
Compare Similar Procedures
How does echocardiogram compare to related procedures in North Carolina?
| Procedure | CPT | Low | Median | High | Providers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colonoscopy Diagnostic colonoscopy | 45378 | $90 | $378 | $1,065 | 2,531 |
| Colonoscopy with Biopsy Colonoscopy with biopsy | 45380 | $80 | $444 | $1,268 | 2,531 |
| Colonoscopy with Polyp Removal Colonoscopy with polyp removal by snare | 45385 | $80 | $543 | $1,433 | 2,407 |
| Upper Endoscopy (EGD) Diagnostic upper GI endoscopy | 43235 | $120 | $298 | $853 | 2,213 |
| Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy | 43239 | $80 | $318 | $1,088 | 2,729 |
| ECG / EKG 12-lead electrocardiogram with interpretation | 93000 | $14 | $26 | $85 | 2,727 |
| OB Ultrasound Obstetric ultrasound, complete | 76805 | $44 | $107 | $272 | 2,508 |
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 93306 — Echocardiography, transthoracic, with Doppler). 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 93306 covers
Data source: Cost figures are derived from UnitedHealthcare Transparency in Coverage machine-readable files for CPT code 93306 (Echocardiography, transthoracic, with Doppler), as mandated by the CMS Price Transparency Rule.
What CPT 93306 covers: the provider's professional fee for echocardiogram. 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.
Why Echocardiogram Visit Costs Vary Across North Carolina
North Carolina's healthcare costs run approximately 2% below national averages, reflecting the state's balanced mix of rural and metropolitan markets. The Triangle and Charlotte regions drive higher costs due to concentration of specialty services, while eastern and mountain counties often see lower rates but limited provider access.
Urban vs. Rural Provider Availability
Charlotte, Raleigh-Durham, and Greensboro offer multiple cardiology practices and imaging centers, creating competitive pricing, while rural counties in eastern North Carolina may have limited options requiring patients to travel to regional medical centers. This geographic disparity affects both access and cost, with rural patients often facing higher transportation costs but potentially lower procedure fees.
Facility Type and Overhead Costs
Academic medical centers like Duke University Hospital and UNC Medical Center typically charge higher facility fees due to teaching hospital overhead and advanced equipment, while community hospitals and independent cardiology groups often provide more cost-effective options. Ambulatory surgery centers and dedicated cardiac imaging facilities generally offer the most competitive pricing for routine echocardiograms.
Insurance Market Competition in North Carolina
BCBS NC maintains significant market share statewide, with UHC and Aetna providing competition primarily in urban markets, resulting in varied negotiated rates across different regions. The concentration of fewer major insurers in rural areas can lead to less competitive pricing, while metropolitan markets benefit from more insurer competition and better negotiated rates.
Physician Supply and Demand in North Carolina
With 2,737 active providers performing echocardiograms across the state, North Carolina maintains adequate specialist availability in urban areas but faces shortages in rural counties. This supply distribution affects wait times and pricing, with high-demand areas like the Research Triangle commanding premium rates while underserved regions may offer more competitive pricing to attract patients.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions — Echocardiogram Costs in North Carolina
What is the average cost of a Echocardiogram visit in North Carolina without insurance?
Does North Carolina Medicaid cover Echocardiogram visits?
How do I find an affordable Echocardiogram near me in North Carolina?
What is the difference in cost between an initial consultation and a follow-up visit?
Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Echocardiogram visit in North Carolina?
How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Echocardiogram in North Carolina?
Click a state to compare costs
Average Visit Cost
Office visit (CPT 93306)
Compare With Other States
| Rank | State | Average↓ |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Virginia Range: $66 – $1,167 | $463 |
| 2 | Wisconsin Range: $73 – $1,020 | $423 |
| 3 | Rhode Island Range: $64 – $895 | $389 |
| 4 | New York Range: $51 – $895 | $373 |
| 5 | Massachusetts Range: $77 – $677 | $324 |
| 6 | Minnesota Range: $77 – $644 | $319 |
| 7 | Georgia Range: $68 – $653 | $309 |
| 8 | Wyoming Range: $94 – $605 | $306 |
| 9 | Delaware Range: $60 – $677 | $303 |
| 10 | Pennsylvania Range: $61 – $677 | $298 |
| 11 | North Dakota Range: $75 – $619 | $292 |
| 12 | Connecticut Range: $64 – $677 | $289 |
| 13 | Nebraska Range: $101 – $477 | $287 |
| 14 | New Hampshire Range: $78 – $519 | $282 |
| 15 | District of Columbia Range: $59 – $569 | $273 |
| 16 | Iowa Range: $85 – $477 | $269 |
| 17 | Oregon Range: $79 – $568 | $268 |
| 18 | Washington Range: $80 – $513 | $260 |
| 19 | California Range: $79 – $586 | $256 |
| 20 | North Carolina Range: $68 – $501 | $254 |
| 21 | Missouri Range: $79 – $449 | $250 |
| 22 | Maine Range: $95 – $394 | $249 |
| 23 | New Mexico Range: $80 – $440 | $244 |
| 24 | New Jersey Range: $60 – $490 | $238 |
| 25 | Vermont Range: $61 – $471 | $234 |
| 26 | South Dakota Range: $67 – $460 | $232 |
| 27 | Kentucky Range: $64 – $477 | $231 |
| 28 | Florida Range: $60 – $460 | $227 |
| 29 | Colorado Range: $77 – $428 | $225 |
| 30 | Indiana Range: $65 – $436 | $224 |
| 31 | Hawaii Range: $75 – $438 | $222 |
| 32 | Idaho Range: $78 – $430 | $213 |
| 33 | Michigan Range: $67 – $405 | $213 |
| 34 | Texas Range: $64 – $418 | $212 |
| 35 | Illinois Range: $74 – $378 | $210 |
| 36 | Nevada Range: $85 – $321 | $208 |
| 37 | Utah Range: $80 – $340 | $207 |
| 38 | Maryland Range: $55 – $399 | $205 |
| 39 | Arkansas Range: $72 – $369 | $201 |
| 40 | Virginia Range: $59 – $390 | $200 |
| 41 | Mississippi Range: $57 – $377 | $191 |
| 42 | Tennessee Range: $64 – $340 | $190 |
| 43 | South Carolina Range: $62 – $364 | $188 |
| 44 | Kansas Range: $71 – $316 | $186 |
| 45 | Louisiana Range: $57 – $342 | $182 |
| 46 | Alabama Range: $60 – $329 | $179 |
| 47 | Ohio Range: $52 – $351 | $178 |
| 48 | Oklahoma Range: $60 – $356 | $177 |
| 49 | Alaska Range: $80 – $345 | $168 |
| 50 | Arizona Range: $60 – $264 | $145 |
| 51 | Montana Range: $80 – $269 | $143 |
