BCBS Texas Echocardiogram Rates in Houston

Published Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas negotiated rates for Echocardiogram at 21 hospitals in Houston, TX. Data from CMS-mandated hospital transparency files.

Lowest Rate

$159.9

Baylor St Luke's Medical Center

all plan types

Highest Rate

$2,579.85

Texas Children's Hospital

all plan types

Rate Spread

16x

across all plan types

Hospitals

21

with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas data

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas echocardiogram rates in Houston span a dramatic 16x range, from $159.90 at Baylor St Luke's Medical Center to $2,579.85 at Texas Children's Hospital. The lowest rate applies to a Blue Advantage Exchange plan rather than standard commercial coverage. Across 21 Houston hospitals, the median negotiated rate sits at $437.70.

Why the range is so wide: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas negotiates different rates for different plan types. Medicaid-managed and Medicare Advantage plans typically have the lowest negotiated rates. Commercial PPO and HMO plans are higher. The "lowest rate" at each hospital may be a Medicaid or Medicare plan rate, not a commercial plan rate. The plan type is shown in the table where available.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Echocardiogram Rates by Hospital

Hospital Lowest Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Rate
Baylor St Luke's Medical Center $159.9
St Luke's Patients Medical Center $197.84
St Luke's Lakeside $197.84
St Luke's Springwoods Village $197.84
St Luke's Sugar Land $197.84
St Luke's The Vintage $197.84
St Luke's The Woodlands $197.84
St Luke's Brazosport $274.29
HCA Houston Healthcare Clear Lake $317.09
HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe $317.09
HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood $317.09
HCA Houston Healthcare Mainland $317.09
HCA Houston Healthcare Medical Center $317.09
HCA Houston Healthcare North Cypress $317.09
HCA Houston Healthcare Northwest $317.09
HCA Houston Healthcare Pearland $317.09
HCA Houston Healthcare Southeast $317.09
HCA Houston Healthcare Tomball $317.09
HCA Houston Healthcare West $317.09
Houston Methodist Hospital $422.79
Texas Children's Hospital $1,432.55

Rates shown are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas's published negotiated rates from each hospital's CMS transparency file. "Lowest rate" is the lowest rate across all Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas plan types (including Medicaid-managed and Medicare Advantage) at that hospital. Commercial plan rates are typically higher. Your actual cost depends on your specific plan's deductible, copay, and coinsurance.

Understanding Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Negotiated Rates

A negotiated rate is the price Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has agreed to pay a hospital for a specific service. This is not necessarily what you pay out of pocket. If you have met your annual deductible, you typically pay a copay or coinsurance percentage of the negotiated rate. If you have not met your deductible, you may owe the full negotiated rate.

The same insurer often negotiates different rates at different hospitals, and different plan types (HMO, PPO, high-deductible) within the same insurer can have different rates at the same hospital. The table above shows the range across all Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas plan types at each facility.

Prices shown are facility fees only. You will also receive separate bills from the physician performing the procedure.

Compare Other Insurers for Echocardiogram in Houston

View all Echocardiogram prices in Houston (cash + insured) →

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the lowest-cost Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas Echocardiogram in Houston?

The lowest Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas negotiated rate for Echocardiogram in Houston is $159.9 at Baylor St Luke's Medical Center, across all plan types including Medicaid-managed and Medicare Advantage. The highest is $2,579.85 at Texas Children's Hospital, a 16x difference. Commercial plan rates typically fall between these extremes.

Is the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas negotiated rate what I'll pay?

Not necessarily. The negotiated rate is what Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas has agreed to pay the hospital. Your out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, copay, and coinsurance. If you have not met your annual deductible, you may owe the full negotiated rate. Contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas for a pre-service cost estimate specific to your plan.

How many Houston hospitals have published Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas rates?

21 hospitals in the Houston area have published Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas negotiated rates for Echocardiogram in their CMS transparency files. Having a published rate does not necessarily confirm current network participation. Verify your network status with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas directly.

Does Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas require prior authorization for an echocardiogram?

Many Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas plans require prior authorization for echocardiograms. Without it, the claim may be denied. Your referring provider's office typically handles the authorization request. The rates shown here are facility fees; the physician reading fee is billed separately.

We are not affiliated with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas or any hospital listed on this page. Negotiated rates are sourced from hospital-published CMS transparency files and represent the amounts agreed between the insurer and hospital. Your actual out-of-pocket cost depends on your deductible, copay, and coinsurance. Contact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas or the hospital billing department for a cost estimate specific to your plan. All insurer and hospital names are trademarks of their respective owners.

Visit the official Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas website: www.bcbstx.com