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North Carolina

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

National avg: $247North Carolina: $254

3% above national average

Compare Similar Procedures

How does echocardiogram compare to related procedures in North Carolina?

ProcedureCPTLowMedianHighProviders
Colonoscopy

Diagnostic colonoscopy

45378$90$378$1,0652,531
Colonoscopy with Biopsy

Colonoscopy with biopsy

45380$80$444$1,2682,531
Colonoscopy with Polyp Removal

Colonoscopy with polyp removal by snare

45385$80$543$1,4332,407
Upper Endoscopy (EGD)

Diagnostic upper GI endoscopy

43235$120$298$8532,213
Upper Endoscopy with Biopsy

Upper GI endoscopy with biopsy

43239$80$318$1,0882,729
ECG / EKG

12-lead electrocardiogram with interpretation

93000$14$26$852,727
OB Ultrasound

Obstetric ultrasound, complete

76805$44$107$2722,508

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 93306Echocardiography, 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.

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 — Echocardiogram Costs in North Carolina

What is the average cost of a Echocardiogram visit in North Carolina without insurance?

Without insurance, echocardiogram procedures in North Carolina typically cost between $67.56 and $501.18, with a median price of $194.24 based on negotiated rates across 2,737 providers. Self-pay patients may qualify for discounts of 20-40% at many facilities, particularly independent cardiology practices and community health centers that offer sliding fee scales based on income.

Does North Carolina Medicaid cover Echocardiogram visits?

North Carolina has not expanded Medicaid, which limits coverage for many low-income adults who fall into the coverage gap. Traditional Medicaid covers medically necessary echocardiograms for eligible children, pregnant women, and disabled adults, but requires prior authorization for most cardiac imaging procedures. Patients should verify their specific eligibility and obtain required referrals before scheduling.

How do I find an affordable Echocardiogram near me in North Carolina?

Compare prices across different facility types, as independent cardiac imaging centers often cost less than hospital outpatient departments in North Carolina. Many providers offer self-pay discounts for uninsured patients, and community health centers in rural areas may provide sliding fee scales. Ambulatory surgery centers and dedicated imaging facilities typically offer the most competitive rates for routine echocardiograms.

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

The echocardiogram procedure itself typically costs $67.56 to $501.18 regardless of whether it's your first visit or follow-up, but initial cardiology consultations often include additional evaluation and interpretation time. Follow-up visits may focus primarily on reviewing results and adjusting treatment plans, potentially reducing overall appointment costs. Some practices offer package pricing for patients requiring multiple cardiac imaging studies over time.

Can I use an HSA or FSA to pay for a Echocardiogram visit in North Carolina?

Yes, echocardiogram procedures qualify as eligible medical expenses for both HSA and FSA accounts when medically necessary. You can use these pre-tax funds to cover copays, deductibles, and coinsurance associated with cardiac imaging services. Keep all receipts and documentation from your North Carolina provider for reimbursement or tax purposes, especially if the procedure is part of ongoing cardiac care.

How does telemedicine affect the cost of seeing a Echocardiogram in North Carolina?

While the actual echocardiogram must be performed in person, many North Carolina cardiologists offer telehealth consultations to review results and discuss treatment plans, potentially reducing follow-up visit costs. Telemedicine consultations typically cost $50-150 less than in-person visits and help patients in rural areas avoid travel expenses to specialty clinics. Some practices offer hybrid care models combining in-person imaging with virtual result discussions for optimal cost-effectiveness.

Click a state to compare costs

Average Visit Cost

$143
$463

Office visit (CPT 93306)

Compare With Other States

RankStateAverage
1West Virginia
Range: $66$1,167
$463
2Wisconsin
Range: $73$1,020
$423
3Rhode Island
Range: $64$895
$389
4New York
Range: $51$895
$373
5Massachusetts
Range: $77$677
$324
6Minnesota
Range: $77$644
$319
7Georgia
Range: $68$653
$309
8Wyoming
Range: $94$605
$306
9Delaware
Range: $60$677
$303
10Pennsylvania
Range: $61$677
$298
11North Dakota
Range: $75$619
$292
12Connecticut
Range: $64$677
$289
13Nebraska
Range: $101$477
$287
14New Hampshire
Range: $78$519
$282
15District of Columbia
Range: $59$569
$273
16Iowa
Range: $85$477
$269
17Oregon
Range: $79$568
$268
18Washington
Range: $80$513
$260
19California
Range: $79$586
$256
20North Carolina
Range: $68$501
$254
21Missouri
Range: $79$449
$250
22Maine
Range: $95$394
$249
23New Mexico
Range: $80$440
$244
24New Jersey
Range: $60$490
$238
25Vermont
Range: $61$471
$234
26South Dakota
Range: $67$460
$232
27Kentucky
Range: $64$477
$231
28Florida
Range: $60$460
$227
29Colorado
Range: $77$428
$225
30Indiana
Range: $65$436
$224
31Hawaii
Range: $75$438
$222
32Idaho
Range: $78$430
$213
33Michigan
Range: $67$405
$213
34Texas
Range: $64$418
$212
35Illinois
Range: $74$378
$210
36Nevada
Range: $85$321
$208
37Utah
Range: $80$340
$207
38Maryland
Range: $55$399
$205
39Arkansas
Range: $72$369
$201
40Virginia
Range: $59$390
$200
41Mississippi
Range: $57$377
$191
42Tennessee
Range: $64$340
$190
43South Carolina
Range: $62$364
$188
44Kansas
Range: $71$316
$186
45Louisiana
Range: $57$342
$182
46Alabama
Range: $60$329
$179
47Ohio
Range: $52$351
$178
48Oklahoma
Range: $60$356
$177
49Alaska
Range: $80$345
$168
50Arizona
Range: $60$264
$145
51Montana
Range: $80$269
$143
Echocardiogram in Other States