Psychological testing by technician
Facility: St. Catherine Hospital - Garden City
Billing Code: 96138 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 96138
- Insurance Median: $34
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.07x 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 $456.4 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $30 - $35 | 7% |
| Kansas Health | $30 | 7% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $30 - $233 | 7% |
| Cigna | $30 - $35 | 7% |
| Aetna | $30 - $35 | 7% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $30 - $35 | 7% |
| Medicare (plans) | $30 - $35 | 7% |
| Kaiser | $30 - $35 | 7% |
| Innovage | $35 | 8% |
| Devoted Health | $35 | 8% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 96138, "Psychological testing by technician," at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City, KS, the negotiated rates across ten payers range from $30 to $35, with a median negotiated amount of $34.00. This facility, a voluntary non-profit church-owned acute care hospital, does not list a specific cash or median paid amount in the current data. While commercial insurance contracts generally cap charges between $30 and $35, patients should be aware that cash-pay options can sometimes be more cost-effective for those with high-deductible plans if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can significantly reduce out-of-pocket costs before services are rendered.
When evaluating this charge, it is important to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the facility's full chargemaster list. The Medicare amount for this service is $456.40, which serves as the objective baseline for determining fair pricing; commercial negotiated rates typically average 200% to 300% of this figure, though fair pricing is often defined as 120% to 150%. Since the data does not provide specific county or state average comparisons for this code, patients should focus on verifying the allowed amount with their specific insurer before scheduling. Additionally, if you receive a summary bill, request a full itemized statement to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written audit dispute.