| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Medicare Allowed Rate What Medicare approves for this service | $116.82 |
| Typical Billed Amount What providers commonly charge | $250 – $1200 |
| Potential Markup How much more you might pay vs. Medicare rate | 927% above Medicare |
What Is CPT Code 93350?
CPT code 93350 represents a complete stress echocardiography test, which is a non-invasive heart examination that combines two important diagnostic tools. During this test, your doctor uses ultrasound technology to create images of your heart while it's working harder than usual, either through exercise (like walking on a treadmill) or through medication that makes your heart beat faster.
Your cardiologist typically orders this test when they need to evaluate chest pain, shortness of breath, or suspected heart disease. The test helps doctors see how well your heart muscle and valves function when your heart is under stress, revealing problems that might not show up when your heart is at rest. The "complete" designation means your doctor performed the full test protocol, including both the stress portion and comprehensive ultrasound imaging of your heart from multiple angles.
Typical Costs and What to Expect on Your Bill
When you see CPT code 93350 on your medical bill, you can expect charges typically ranging from $250 to $1200, depending on your location, the facility type, and your insurance coverage. If you have Medicare, the standard reimbursement rate for this procedure is $116.82, though you may still have copays or deductibles to consider.
The wide price range exists because hospital-based facilities often charge more than independent cardiology clinics or imaging centers. Your actual out-of-pocket cost will depend on your insurance plan's coverage, whether you've met your deductible, and if the facility is in your insurance network. Many insurance plans cover stress echo tests when medically necessary, but you should always verify coverage with your insurance provider before the test.
On your bill or explanation of benefits, you might see this listed as "stress echocardiography," "stress echo," or simply "cardiac stress test with echo." The billing should show just one charge for CPT 93350 since it covers the complete procedure.
How to Verify Your Bill Is Correct
To check if your stress echo test was billed correctly, first confirm that you only see one charge for CPT code 93350 if you had a single, complete test. Be aware that this code is sometimes confused with CPT 93306 (regular echocardiogram without stress) or CPT 93015 (stress test without echo), so make sure the code matches the actual test you received.
If your bill shows charges significantly higher than $1200 or you see multiple codes for what seemed like one test, contact the billing department for clarification. Ask for an itemized bill that clearly shows what each code represents. If you believe you were overcharged or billed for services you didn't receive, start by calling the provider's billing office to discuss the charges.
For billing disputes, document everything in writing and keep records of all communications. If you can't resolve the issue directly with the provider, contact your insurance company for assistance, or consider reaching out to your state's insurance commissioner or a patient advocacy organization for additional support.