Blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel)
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 80061 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80061
- Insurance Median: $162
- Cash Discount Price: $126
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 12.10x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. 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 1210% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1110%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates
Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.
| Carrier / Plan Group | Contract Rate Range | vs. Medicare Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $27 - $28 | 202% |
| Preferred Phsic | $108 | 807% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $146 | 1090% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $162 | 1210% |
| Aetna | $162 | 1210% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $162 | 1210% |
| Cigna | $162 | 1210% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test service at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS, the facility's cash price of $126.00 is lower than the median negotiated rate of $162.00 paid by insurance plans. While the facility's negotiated rate of $162.00 is higher than the state average of $146.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price of $126.00 more cost-effective, as the insurance allowed amount often exceeds the cash rate. It is important to note that commercial rates can sometimes be inflated by administrative overhead, and comparing the facility's cash price directly to the state average reveals a more favorable option for self-pay patients.
Patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services are billed separately. To ensure accuracy, consumers should request a full itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices may obscure specific codes or unbundled charges. Additionally, asking the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling can result in significant savings, as these upfront payment incentives often bypass the higher administrative costs associated with insurance billing cycles.