Blood test, potassium
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $50
- Cash Discount Price: $39
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.50x 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 $4.76 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 1050% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 950%). 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 | $6 - $7 | 126% |
| Preferred Phsic | $33 | 693% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $45 | 945% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $50 | 1050% |
| Aetna | $50 | 1050% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $50 | 1050% |
| Cigna | $50 | 1050% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for potassium (CPT 84132) at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, Kansas, the facility's cash median price is $39.00, which is lower than the state average of $45.00. While in-network insurance plans like Preferred Phsic and Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans negotiate rates of $33.00 and $45.00 respectively, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price of $39.00 directly more cost-effective than the negotiated rate of $50.00 charged by Aetna and Cigna, as the insurance allowed amount often exceeds the cash price. Because commercial negotiated rates frequently include administrative overhead and contract markups, the cash rate serves as a useful benchmark for determining the true cost of the service before insurance coverage is applied.
To ensure you receive the most accurate billing, it is important to request an itemized bill that lists specific CPT codes rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled charges or services not rendered. Additionally, if you are self-pay or have a high-deductible plan, ask the billing department about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final amount by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Since the facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital, you should also verify if they offer self-pay discounts before scheduling, as these rates are often lower than the standard cash median and can help avoid unexpected balance billing if you are out of network.