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EKG Cost


How Much Does an EKG Cost?

 
average costWith Health Insurance: $30-$100 Copayhigh costWithout Health Insurance: $500-$3,000

An electrocardiogram, also known an EKG or ECG, is a test that examines heart conditions by measuring the heart's electrical levels. Electrodes are placed at several points on the body to transmit electrical impulses which create line patterns on paper. A technician typically performs the test and a doctor or specialist interprets the wave chart created by the test. The test is painless and generally takes less than 15 minutes to complete.

Typical costs:

  • Typically, there are two costs associated with an EKG -- the cost of the procedure itself and the cost of the analysis of the readout.
  • Patients with medical insurance that covers a portion of the cost of the EKG, can expect to pay $30-$100 in copays for both the test and the analysis of the test. For example, Harvard Pilgrim Health Care[1] , which serves patients in Massachusetts, charges its members $32-$54 for an EKG and interpreting the results.
  • Uninsured patients can expect to pay $500-$3,000 total for an EKG. An EKG averages $1,500, according to NewChoiceHealth.com[2] , but some locations charge as high as $2,850. Typically, prices are higher for services in metropolitan areas, than in smaller rural communities.
Related articles: Stress Test, Heart Rate Monitor, Health Insurance

What should be included:
  • Typically, patients undergoing an electrocardiogram lie flat on a table with electrodes attached to points on the chest, arms and legs. Sometimes a paste or a gel will be used to attach the electrodes and improve the conduction of the electrical impulses. The electrodes are attached to an EKG machine which tracks the electrical activity and traces it on paper.
  • WebMD[3] explains in detail how the EKG procedure is performed.
  • The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute[4] provides information on what to expect before, during and after an EKG is performed.
Discounts:
  • Health insurance may cover some or all of the cost of the EKG. Generally, insurance will cover 80%-100% of EKG testing. Contact an insurance provider for coverage specifics.
  • Some school athletic programs give student athletes EKGs to test heart health. The Cypress Project, which works to reduce the cost of EKGs for student athletes, tracks several high schools[5] in Texas with EKG machines. The schools charge student about $3 for the electrocardiograms.
  • Some physicians and hospitals offer discounts of up to 35% to patients who do not have health insurance. Washington Hospital Healthcare System[6] , located in California, offers a 35% discount for uninsured patients. The hospital also has a financial assistance program for qualifying uninsured patients.
Shopping for an ekg:
  • The Heart Rhythm Society provides a searchable directory[7] of cardiology professionals.
  • The American College of Cardiology offers an online locator of cardiology specialists.
  • Smart Heart Living, an informational website, offers tips on shopping for a cardiologist[8] .
Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
 
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
ECG in at UC Health Denver
Amount: $750.00
Posted by: a user in Denver, CO.Posted: June 15th, 2023 02:06PM
Physician: CU MedicalMedical Center: UC Health
Wife went in for a consult about her concave chest. They did an ECG which wasn't really necessary. We have a high deductible health plan w/ BlueCrossBlueShield of NJ. The doctors charged around $125 for the appointment and $25 for the interpretation. The UC Health charged 900 (down to 600 after insurance) for the use of the equipment. Currently using that 600 dollars to sue them for highway robbery. Never going to UC Health again.
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ECG as part of a follow-up appointment with my cardiologist
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: David Borreson in Boulder, CO.Posted: May 5th, 2023 07:05PM
Physician: DouthitMedical Center: Boulder Heart
The appointment was November 2, 2022. Just received the bill on May 3, 2023 for my part which was $57.73 which I declined to pay. I did pay a copay of $30.00 for seeing my cardiologist at the same time. The charge was %650.00 just for the ECG with my part being $57.73
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EKG
Amount: $827.00
Posted by: TMAC in Marshall, MI.Posted: October 25th, 2020 07:10PM
Physician: Oaklawn Med GroupMedical Center: Oaklawn Hospital
For EKG $49 charged by Oaklawn Medical Group plus $2,490 charged by Oaklawn Hospital. "Contractual allowance" from my Blue Cross insurance brings total down to "only" $827. Absolutely absurd for a 5 minute test on equipment that likely cost less than $3K
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Highway robbery
Amount: $670.00
Posted by: Ls in Fort Myers, FL.Posted: January 24th, 2020 08:01PM
Physician: Cardiologist pefsMedical Center: lee Health healthpark
Ct scan with umr costs 4K and I paid it because they were threatening collections and they got paid $242 to READ the stupid thing and it’s been on my credit report for 1.5 years. Worst part- CT showed bulging discs, and multiple fibroids, blood and bacteria in my urine, esophagitis and not one single word to me! No antibiotics nothing!!!!
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EKG - Texas Childrens Hospital
Amount: $397.00
Posted by: PS in Houston, TX.Posted: November 20th, 2018 09:11AM
Physician: OpinaMedical Center: Texas Childrens Hospital
Was charged $397 for EKG at Texas Childrens Hospital with UHC insurance.. whereas the same test costed $53 at Kelsey Seybold with UHC insurance 6 months back
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Why is this so much?
Amount: $610.00
Posted by: DLF in Leewood, KS.Posted: November 8th, 2018 08:11AM
Physician: Medical Center: Univ of KS Med Center
Went in for a second opinion about possible interactions between cholesterol medications I had been prescribed by my PCP. They attached electrodes to me for less than a 1 minute and the Dr looked at the results for perhaps a minute or two. For that I was charged over $600
That seems like a ridiculous amount to charge based on the reality of the situation.
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ER visit.
Amount: $9,040.00
Posted by: Omie in Palmdale, CA.Posted: October 2nd, 2018 04:10PM
Physician: Medical Center: Palmdale Regional Medical Center
Thought I was having a heart attack, went to ER.
Spent 3 hours waiting out in waiting room (making it obvious it was not serious) and 2 hours inside ER hooked to an ECG
+ blood tests
+ chest x-ray
+ head CT scan
+ saline IV
+ 1 pair of yellow nonslip socks.
DIAGNOSIS: Labyrinthistis
No Insurance!
Final Bill: $9040.00
(Actually, final bill was over $11,500 but that the hospital decided to discount amount (wink wink) after finding out I am uninsured! (Nonsense. This is lime a retailer raising the price of an item by 50% the putting it on sale for 25% off...).
Had I had insurance, it would have been probably billed at a fraction of what I am asked to pay. Had this been billed to MediCal, it would have been billed at under $1500.
People in the medical field are supposed to be caring and conscientious. So what is the logic behind charging individuals multiples of what a corporation is charged?
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EKG Cost
Amount: $359.45
Posted by: Jena lea in Kansas City, MO.Posted: August 15th, 2018 07:08PM
Physician: Medical Center: North Kansas City Hospital
I needed a EKG before I had a outpatient surgery. the Creekwood surgery center called me to have the EKG, giving me two options. I didn't recognize the first place listed and decided to go with the Hospital. (big mistake) I was in there a total 5 min. if that. took her longer to hook me up then it did for the reading. my bill for the "outpatient ancillary services" was 359.45. my doctors office charged me $12 for the interp. insurance paid 95.55, or it would have been 455.00. I'm guessing had I picked the first place it would have been cheaper since it wasn't a Hospital. Blue Cross insurance.
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Over Charged for EKG
Amount: $4,468.00
Posted by: Vanessa Bonner in Milwaukee, WI.Posted: March 5th, 2018 10:03AM
Physician: Jan, Muhammad FaudMedical Center: Aurora Advanced Health Care
I have FEP Blue Cross / Blue Sheild for heath Insurance. For an EKG that I did not request I was billed $4,468 dollars. I have the high Option Insurance with the Post office and BC /BS expects me to pay 15% of this bill to the tune of $520. If I had no insurance at all I would have been billed $500 for the test and read. This is theft to me. I have been ripped off.
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Emergency Room charge
Amount: $2,517.52
Posted by: Eva Dotson in Blacksburg, VA.Posted: January 27th, 2018 06:01PM
Physician: Medical Center: Lewisdale Hospital Montgomery
My daughter was admitted to the emergency room at Lewisdale hospital and had an electrocardiogram tracing and the charge to my insurance was 4,188.66 plus 31.34. My cost is 2,517.52.This amount is outrageous.
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EKG Cost
Amount: $106.00
Posted by: MES in Cleveland, OH.Posted: July 6th, 2017 07:07PM
Physician: Dr. MackellMedical Center: University Hospitals Cleveland
Assumed EKG was covered with cardiology visit. Paid $50 copay up front. No one mentioned EKG would have separate charges. It was done like routine by a medical assistant along with my BP and HR within 2 minutes. Got bill for $411.
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EKG
Amount: $0.00
Posted by: Mindy Lynn in East Hampton, NY.Posted: November 15th, 2016 06:11AM
Physician: Dr. DeFraiaMedical Center: Meeting House
In Oscar Insurances guide it states that the cost of an ekg is NOT covered by insurance. I will check on cost when I go in for my annual physical.
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ekg cost
Amount: $20.00
Posted by: UseNAbuse in Yucaipa, CA.Posted: April 22nd, 2016 01:04AM
Urgent care. Paying cash. My insurance sucks, so I didn't use it. Cash is better if you want a real price quoted before a procedure.
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EKG Cost
Amount: $3,000.00
Posted by: United Healthcare stinks in Liverpool, NY.Posted: November 18th, 2014 05:11AM
Physician: MoribitoMedical Center: North Medical, NY
United Healthcare covered $0, when in for suspected congestive heart failure
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Preventative Screening provided by ACA (Obamacare)
Amount: $15.00
Posted by: Nolan Warner in DECATUR, TX.Posted: October 22nd, 2014 12:10AM
Physician: Dr. HollandMedical Center: Urgent Healthcare
I went in for what I thought was going to be my no cost annual checkup or Preventative Screening. I was given an EKG that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas said was not covered. I did not ask for it. I am still finding out why is was given if they knew it was not part of the ACA and the Insurance would not pay.
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ekg cost
Amount: $239.00
Posted by: GAT in Jackson, MI.Posted: September 12th, 2014 02:09PM
Physician: William BivensMedical Center: Allegiance Health
I had an annual physical in my Dr. office. I did not have any symtoms but the Dr. did one because I had not had one done in his office before. They charged $239 for EKG and interpretation. My Insurance rejected it saying it was not a covered service for the annual physical.
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Transthoracic - Echocardiogram
Amount: $2,100.00
Posted by: Colin in South Lake Tahoe, CA.Posted: November 4th, 2013 08:11AM
Physician: Medical Center: Barton Hospital
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External Resources:
  1.  /www.harvardpilgrim.org/portal/page?_pageid=253,192924&_dad=portal&_schema=PORTAL
  2.  www.newchoicehealth.com/Directory/Procedure/24/Electrocardiogram
  3.  www.webmd.com/heart-disease/electrocardiogram
  4.  www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ekg/
  5.  www.cypressecgproject.org/index/maps
  6.  www.whhs.com/about/washington-hospital-discount-policy-for-uninsured/
  7.  www.hrsonline.org/Find-a-Specialist
  8.  www.smart-heart-living.com/finding-a-cardiologist.html
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