CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, hemoglobin

Facility: Ochsner Choctaw General

Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 85018
Insurance Median: $9
Cash Discount Price: $40
vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.80x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, hemoglobin at Ochsner Choctaw General is $9. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $40. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $2.37, this hospital’s rate is 3.80x the Medicare baseline. Located in 401 Vanity Fair Lane, Po Box 618, Butler, AL.

Cash / Self-Pay

$40

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$2.37

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $2.37 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $40 (1688%)

Insurance Median: $9 (380%)

Cash: $40 (1688% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $9 (380% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $2.37 as the cost baseline. Rates below the baseline represent excellent value. In-network commercial rates commonly hover around 150% - 250% of Medicare, while rates exceeding 300% are elevated. Hover over the green and blue markers to view detailed calculations.

Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)

The negotiated rate at this facility is 380% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 280%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance Rate (%)

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group	Contract Rate Range	vs. Medicare Reference
UnitedHealthcare	$1 - $29	42%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$2 - $17	84%
Cigna	$2 - $29	84%
Humana	$2 - $24	84%
Magnolia Health Plan – Wellcare By All Well Of Mississippi	$2 - $24	84%
Medicaid / KanCare	$2	84%
Medicare (plans)	$2 - $27	84%
Primewell Health Services Commercial Exchange Plan	$2 - $36	84%
Primewell Health Services – Commercial	$2 - $36	84%
Shared Health Mississippi	$2 - $25	84%
Prime Health Services Ppo	$3 - $42	127%
Aetna	$4 - $34	169%
Cor Vel	$4 - $43	169%
Prime Health Services Ppo -Workers Comp	$4 - $42	169%
Zelis	$5 - $40	211%
Select Administrative Services Network	$12 - $37	506%
Claritev D/B/A Multiplan/Phcs/American Life Care	$14 - $40	591%
Ambetter / Centene	$24	1013%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $40.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 85018.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Ochsner Choctaw General is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 85018.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.