heart murmer/ echocardiogram

i am 50 years old and was diagnosed with a heart mumer. i have no insurance. they want me to have a echocardiogram. is this the correct test for this diagnosis and what is the total cost for this test. they did an ekg and said results were normal. again is this test correct for diagnosis and what is the cost?

[Carol911]

My son, 14, was suspected to have cardiac murmur by his primary dr.  We went to see a pediatric cardiologist for a consultation & ekg.  The cardiologist confirm the murmur by auscultation. The 1st ekg should normal sinus but with borderline prolonged QTc.  A second ekg 2 months later show all normal including the QTc.  The cardiologist conclude that my son do mot have a heart issue.

According to our research (we purchased a professional grade stethoscope), murmur is very common especially in teen, and most of the time is innocent.  But, please do your research regarding adult murmur.

We have a $5,000/yr deductible on our insurance.  We live in So. California.  The ekg was $120, but with insurance discount, we pay about $60.  He didn't do the echocardigram, 2-D & M-mode (not required by the cardiologist), but the dr.'s office quoted us $265, this is what the insurance will pay, which is about 50% of the listed price.  Most dr. willing to give discount to patient w/o insurance.  I was given a 20% discount of the full amount when I asked.  Just ask.

[Cleveland Clinic]

An echocardiogram is the correct test to diagnose any valvular abnormalities of the heart.  It costs about about 800 dollars, although, this cost is projected to go down.  Also, if you tell you doctor that you don't have insurance they may be able to charge you less (ie what the insurance would pay for it which is always less than the actual charge of the test).  

[suem0123]

A related discussion, Abnormal ECHO results was started.