For a person who has a family history of heart disease, being required to have a cardiac stress test or an echocardiogram is a test you’ll be likely to take.
An echocardiogram is a test that utilizes high-frequency sound waves to evaluate the operation and functionality of a human heart.
Now, let us talk about how much does an echocardiogram cost?
Average Cost of Echocardiogram
The average cost of echocardiograms will differ from place to place. However, most places will offer a price cut if you pay cash in up front. The discounts may range from 20% to 70%. You can also save a lot if you have a valid health insurance.
- With Health Insurance:
An echocardiogram will be covered by insurance when a doctor requires the evaluation, or screening, of a heart problem. However, the screening is not for all.
For instance, United Healthcare covers the cost for analysis and monitoring of a range of heart irregularities in adults, but they do not cover the cost of screening for the rest of population who have no indications of heart disease, including athletes.
If you have health insurance, the average out-of-pocket cost for an echocardiogram will have a copay of 10 percent to 50 percent.
According to the Healthcare Blue Book, the average price of an echocardiogram will fluctuate from $550 to $786. For instance, a Transthoracic Echocardiogram with Doppler (TTE) has an average cost of $763. These estimates were calculated from actual amounts that health plans have compensated on claims. These are comprised of the facility, and the total amount for both the technical (imaging) and physician (interpretation) fees.
- Without Insurance:
How much does an echocardiogram cost if you are not insured? For individuals not protected by any health insurance, the cost of echocardiogram will vary. The cost may be from $1,100 to $3,300, with an average price of $2,200, including the charge for the cardiologist’s interpretation.
Below are some of the average costs of Echocardiograms from Health Care providers in the USA.
|
Facility |
Procedure/Services |
Average Price |
|
Transthoracic Echocardiogram w/Doppler |
$ 2,350.00 | |
|
Cardiac Stress Test |
$ 1,978.00 | |
|
Echo Real Time |
$ 3,252.00 | |
|
TTE With Doppler Complete |
$ 1,345.00 | |
|
Stress Echo |
$ 1,194.96 | |
|
Echo Complete |
$ 1,194.96 | |
|
Echo 2D M Doppler |
$ 1,194.96 | |
|
Echocardiogram |
$ 1,100.16 | |
|
Echocardiogram,2 D/M With Spec Doppler & Color Flow |
$ 1,559.52 | |
|
Echo, transthoracic, real-time with documentation (2D), M‐Mode Compl Spec&Color Dop |
$ 3,257.00 | |
|
Treadmill stress echocardiogram w/ monitoring |
$ 3,282.00 | |
|
Level Ii Echocardiogram Without Contrast |
$ 1,588.00 | |
|
Level Iii Echocardiogram Without Contrast |
$ 2,785.00 |
Another example is the average out-of-network cost provided by iTriage, which is $2,305.57. These estimated figures come from the Care Estimator of Aetna Life Insurance Company. The cost will depend on what type of echocardiogram is performed, what additional services were provided, and the location of the health service provider.
Moreover, below is the list of Echocardiogram cost around the World, according to Medigo.
|
Country |
Price |
|
Ukraine |
$16 |
|
India |
$50 |
|
Tunisia |
$56 |
|
Spain |
$112 |
|
Thailand |
$176 |
|
Singapore |
$276 |
|
Mexico |
$300 |
|
Israel |
$585 |
|
The United States |
$2,200 |
As you see, the echocardiogram price will depend on a variety of factors; for instance, the location of the doctor’s facility, the doctor’s facility local rate, the specialist’s charge, and other fees accrued during the process of the test. Thus, the best idea to ask for a price estimate from your provider before you have your procedure.
Types of Echocardiograms
In addition to knowing the average cost of echocardiogram, it’s important what kinds of echocardiograms. All echocardiograms use non-invasive processes, meaning they only use nondamaging high-frequency sound waves to produce a complete image of the heart.
- Stress echocardiogram:
This test is performed before and after stressing your heart. To stress your heart, they will let you do some exercises, or inject a medicine to make your heart beat faster and harder. You’re likely to pay around $200 to $5,000, with an average cost of $2,600 for this echocardiogram.
- Transthoracic Echocardiogram (TTE):
This test is the most common type of echocardiogram. The heart’s view is obtained by shifting a transducer to different locations on your abdominal wall or chest. The price of this test may run from $1,000 to $3,000.
- Doppler Echocardiogram:
A Doppler echocardiogram assesses the direction and speed of the blood flow to your heart. It examines the four valves for leaks and other irregularities. Through color flow mapping, or appointing color into the course of blood flow, major areas of blood flow can be scrutinized.
These color flow mappings allow irregular blood flow qualities to be understood by a cardiologist. According to MDsave, the echocardiogram price nationwide is $1,397.
- Transesophageal Echocardiography (TEE):
For this echocardiogram, the probe is inserted down your esophagus, instead of doing it from the outside of your chest wall. This echocardiogram gives clear images of your heart since the probe is situated close to your heart and the bones of the chest wall and lungs are not blocking the sound waves. This echocardiogram will cost around $2,230 or more.
After an Echocardiogram
The physician will evaluate the upshots of the test. The outcomes may show irregularities, for example:
- damage to the heart muscle
- uneven heart size
- heart defects
- valve issues
- abnormal pumping strength
The doctor will recommend a cardiologist to you if the results are worrying. Cardiologists are the expert when it comes to the heart. If there is any uncertainty about the result, the doctor may also order another test.
How to Save Money?
A hospital in the inner area of the city is apt to charge more than the one located in the outer parts. Hospitals may be able to establish financial assistance or even monthly billing plans to work with you.
If you want to take an echocardiogram or any other test from a hospital, you can anticipate spending at least 20% to 30% more. The tests are more expensive when you have them at the hospital rather than at a doctor’s clinic. If you do not have a health insurance policy, it might be the right time to get one.
Conclusion
Try to perform an intensified scouting of echocardiogram prices, so you could determine the benefits and drawbacks of this test, with respects to the quality of the hospital’s fees and services before you carry on with the echocardiogram test.
However, if you don’t have any heart disease or symptoms related to heart, forget this test. It does help prevent a heart attack, and you will not live longer if you have this test every year.
Needless testing increases radiation exposure, which could trigger more tests that are less pleasant, as well as being a waste of money.