CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel)

Facility: Veterans Memorial Hospital

Billing Code: 80061 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 80061
Insurance Median: $68
Cash Discount Price: $89
vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.08x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel) at Veterans Memorial Hospital is $68. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $89. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $13.39, this hospital’s rate is 5.08x the Medicare baseline. Located in 40 1St Street Se, Waukon, IA.

Cash / Self-Pay

$89

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$68

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$13.39

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $13.39 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $89 (665%)

Insurance Median: $68 (508%)

Cash: $89 (665% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $68 (508% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $13.39 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 508% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 408%). 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
Wellmark Hmo - All Other Plans	$9	67%
Wellmark Ppo	$10	75%
Amerigroup Mcaid - All Other Plans	$13	97%
Amerigroup Mcr Adv	$68	508%
Humana	$68 - $118	508%
Iowa Total Care Exchange	$68	508%
Iowa Total Care Mcr Adv	$68	508%
Medica Mcr Adv	$68	508%
Molina Mcr Adv	$68	508%
Quartz Mcr Adv	$68	508%
UnitedHealthcare	$68 - $133	508%
Welmark Mcr Adv	$68	508%
Iowa Total Care Mcaid - All Other Plans	$80	597%
Molina Mcaid - All Other Plans	$80	597%
Quartz Comm - All Other Plans	$118	881%
Medica Comm - All Other Plans	$125	934%

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 $89.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 80061.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Veterans Memorial Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 80061.
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.