Blood test, calcium
Facility: Pratt Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $37
- Cash Discount Price: $29
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.17x 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 $5.16 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 717% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 617%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Health Aid | $28 - $34 | 543% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $31 - $46 | 601% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $31 - $38 | 601% |
| Aetna | $33 - $41 | 640% |
| Choicecare | $37 - $45 | 717% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for calcium (CPT 82310) at Pratt Regional Medical Center in Pratt, KS, the facility's cash median price is $29.00, which is 7.2% higher than the Medicare benchmark of $5.16. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna range from $31 to $46, these amounts are generally higher than the cash price. For patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, paying the cash median of $29.00 upfront is often the most cost-effective option, as it bypasses the administrative overhead and potential markups associated with insurance billing cycles.
To maximize savings, patients should explicitly request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling any appointments, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%. It is important to avoid accepting summary bills that only show broad category totals; instead, demand a full itemized statement to verify that no unbundled codes or services not rendered have been charged. By comparing the facility's cash rate against the Medicare benchmark and securing a prompt-pay discount, patients can ensure they are paying a fair price that aligns with the actual cost of care rather than inflated negotiated rates.