How much does an EKG cost?
How much does an EKG cost?
$100 – $300 average cost at a doctor’s office (without insurance)
$150 – $350 average cost at urgent care (without insurance)
$500 – $5,000 average cost at a hospital (without insurance)
Average EKG cost
An EKG costs $100 to $300 at a doctor’s office or $150 to $350 at an urgent care facility, without insurance. The cost of EKG at a hospital is $500 to $5,000. An EKG can be a standard resting test, a stress test during exercise, or a long-term ambulatory monitor, depending on your specific circumstances.
| Facility | Average cost* |
|---|---|
| Doctor’s office | $100 – $300 |
| Urgent care | $150 – $350 |
| Emergency room | $500 – $5,000 |
| Hospital (inpatient) | $500 – $5,000 |
*EKG test cost only; additional office visits and interpretation fees may apply.
What is an EKG?
An EKG, or electrocardiogram, is a test to measure the electrical activity of your heart, revealing the rate and rhythm of heartbeats, the size and position of the heart chambers, and any damage to the heart muscle. EKGs are used to diagnose and monitor arrhythmias, coronary artery disease, heart attacks, heart failure, and congenital heart defects.
During the non-invasive EKG, small electrode patches are attached to the skin on your chest, arms, and legs. These electrodes detect the electrical impulses of your heart and transmit them to a machine that produces a visual output.
Your doctor may order an EKG if you have:
Chest pain
A fast or irregular heartbeat
Shortness of breath
Tiredness or weakness
Dizziness or lightheadedness
A pacemaker
A prescription for heart medicine
EKG and an ECG are two different abbreviations for the same medical test.EKG is the term more commonly used in the US.
EKG test cost by type
Doctors use different EKG types to monitor heart activity during rest, daily activities, sleep, or exercise. Standard resting EKGs cost $100 to $350 and offer quick snapshots of heart function. Stress tests check heart function under physical exertion and cost $200 to $500. Long-term ambulatory monitors track cardiac patterns over extended periods at higher costs.
| EKG type | Average cost without insurance* |
|---|---|
| Standard EKG (resting 12-lead) | $100 – $350 |
| Exercise EKG (stress test) | $200 – $500 |
| Signal-averaged EKG | $300 – $800 |
| Holter monitor (ambulatory device) | $300 – $600+ |
| Event recorder (ambulatory device) | $250 – $500+ per month (rental fee only) |
*EKG test cost only; additional office visit and interpretation fees may apply.
A standard 12-lead EKG costs $100 to $350 and uses 6 limbs and 6 chest leads to record the heart’s electrical activity from 12 different perspectives. The in-office procedure takes only 5 to 10 minutes to perform with setup.
An exercise EKG, or stress test, costs $200 to $500 and assesses your heart function under physical stress while you walk on a treadmill or pedal a stationary bike. The entire appointment takes about 60 minutes, with the exercise potion lasting 7 to 12 minutes.
A signal-averaged EKG costs $300 to $800 and incorporates computer technology to average multiple electrical signals from the heart, revealing subtle variations not visible on a standard EKG. This test takes about 7 to 10 minutes.
A Holter monitor EKG costs $300 to $600+ and is a longer EKG study. This portable, wearable device continuously records the electrical activity of your heart over an extended period, typically 24 to 48 hours.
An event recorder EKG is a portable device used to record the heart’s electrical activity when you activate it upon feeling symptoms like dizziness, chest pain, palpitations, or fainting. These devices cost $250 to $500 per month to rent and can be worn for weeks or months, depending on the frequency of symptoms. Rental fees are typically charged separately from the doctor’s interpretation of the recorded data for this test.
What affects the cost of an EKG?
Several factors can influence the cost of an EKG:
Facility type: Hospitals generally charge more than urgent care centers or doctor's offices.
Procedure type: Standard EKGs are typically less expensive than stress tests or long-term monitoring.
Insurance coverage: With insurance, patients may only need to pay a copay, which can be as low as $30 in some cases. Most insurance plans cover 80% to 100% of EKG testing.
Office visit: Some facilities may charge separately for the office visit and the EKG. A doctor visit costs $100 to $300 at a primary care office, while an urgent care office visit costs $150 to $250.
Interpretation fees: Some providers include analysis of the test results as part of the overall service, while others itemize it separately. Fees vary based on location and provider.
Additional services: Along with the EKG test, your doctor may require other diagnostic tests, which have separate costs:
Blood work costs $25 to $125 per panel.
A CT scan costs $300 to $2,000 to provide detailed pictures of your heart and blood vessels to help identify blockages.
An MRI costs $350 to $2,500 for detailed images of the heart’s structure and to detect scar tissue within the heart muscle.
Even with insurance, several factors can affect your out-of-pocket costs, such as whether you’ve met your deductible, if the healthcare provider is in-network, if pre-authorization is required, and if any copayment or coinsurance is required by your plan.
FAQs about EKG tests
Is an EKG covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans cover 80% to 100% of EKG testing. Medicare Part B covers a routine EKG screening if you get a referral from your doctor during your one-time “Welcome to Medicare” preventative visit or when medically necessary.
How long does an EKG take?
A standard EKG takes 5 to 10 minutes to perform, including setup. A stress test EKG takes about 40 to 60 minutes for the entire procedure. An ambulatory EKG, such as a Holter monitor, involves continuous monitoring for 24 to 48 hours, while an event monitor can be used for up to 30 days.
What does an EKG show?
An EKG shows your heart rate, heart rhythm, heart chamber size and position, and the strength and timing of electrical signals passing through the heart. Additionally, an EKG can show evidence of past or current heart attacks, poor blood flow to the heart, enlarged heart muscle, congenital heart defects, arrhythmia, and heart inflammation.
How can I reduce the cost of an EKG?
Consider these cost-saving strategies to reduce your EKG out-of-pocket costs:
Use insurance coverage if available.
Compare prices from different providers.
Choose doctors' offices or urgent care centers over hospitals.
Ask about self-pay or cash discounts.
Look into free or low-cost community health clinics.
Explore financial assistance programs.
Use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) or Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) for tax advantages.
Inquire about bundled pricing options that include the EKG, office visit, and interpretation.
Questions to ask your doctor about EKG tests
To help you prepare for your EKG and better understand its role in your health assessment, ask your healthcare provider the following questions:
Why do I need an EKG? What specific symptoms or concerns are we investigating?
How should I prepare for the EKG? Are there any medications or activities I should avoid beforehand?
What can an EKG detect? What heart conditions or issues can it help diagnose?
Are there any limitations to what an EKG can detect? Are there heart issues it might miss? Are there any risks or side effects associated with having an EKG?
How long will the EKG test take?
When and how will I receive the results of my EKG?
If the EKG shows an abnormality, what are the next steps? Will I need additional tests?
How often should I have an EKG? Is this a one-time test or something I'll need regularly?
Can you explain what the different waves and patterns on the EKG mean?
How does an EKG differ from other heart tests, like a stress test?
Will my insurance cover this EKG? If not, what will be my out-of-pocket cost?
Using our proprietary cost database, in-depth research, and collaboration with industry experts, we deliver accurate, up-to-date pricing and insights you can trust, every time.