Blood test, potassium
Facility: Pratt Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $30
- Cash Discount Price: $24
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.30x 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 630% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 530%). 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 | $26 | 546% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $28 - $35 | 588% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $29 | 609% |
| Aetna | $31 | 651% |
| Choicecare | $34 | 714% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for potassium at Pratt Regional Medical Center in Pratt, KS, the cash price is $24.00, which is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare ($28–$35) and Aetna ($31). While the facility's cash rate is higher than the Medicare benchmark of $4.76, it remains significantly below the gross charge of $34.00. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash amount due to administrative overhead and contract structures. It is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket costs than the cash option.
To maximize savings, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront. Although the facility is a proprietary Acute Care Hospital, the cash rate of $24.00 is competitive compared to the state of Kansas average for this service. If you receive a bill after using insurance, request a detailed itemized audit to ensure no errors, double-billing, or unbundled charges are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. Always confirm that the facility has classified your visit as self-pay before check-in to prevent automatic claims submission, which could void any potential cash discounts.