Blood test, hemoglobin
Facility: University Of Kansas Hospital
Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 85018
- Insurance Median: $12
- Cash Discount Price: $3
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.06x 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 $2.37 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 506% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 406%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Larned State Hospital [503200090] | $4 - $27 | 169% |
| Health Plan Inc [503999941] | $6 - $44 | 253% |
| Accarent Health [503999034] | $6 - $46 | 253% |
| Alt Carelon Behavioral Health [503200905] | $6 - $46 | 253% |
| Alt Wppa [5032000964] | $8 - $56 | 338% |
| Geha [503200036] | $8 - $56 | 338% |
| Med-Pay [503200040] | $8 - $56 | 338% |
| Php [503200005] | $8 - $69 | 338% |
| Inter-Americas Insurance [503999032] | $8 - $56 | 338% |
| Cerner [503200038] | $8 - $56 | 338% |
| Allied National [503999937] | $8 - $56 | 338% |
| Cigna | $8 - $74 | 338% |
| Healthlink [503200007] | $8 - $69 | 338% |
| Coeur Plan Services [503301517] | $9 - $65 | 380% |
| Ascension Living Hope [503201517] | $9 - $65 | 380% |
| First Health [5032000110] | $9 - $61 | 380% |
| Correct Care Solutions [50311253] | $9 - $65 | 380% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $9 - $71 | 380% |
| Aha-Healthcare Preferred [503200050] | $9 - $61 | 380% |
| Consolidated Billing [50311256] | $9 - $65 | 380% |
| Century Health Solutions [503200054] | $10 - $74 | 422% |
| Alt Lucent Health Solutions [503202603] | $10 - $71 | 422% |
| Alt Lineco [5032000976] | $10 - $71 | 422% |
| Quiktrip [5032000412] | $10 - $74 | 422% |
| Point Comfort Underwriters [503200018] | $10 - $74 | 422% |
| Empire Plan/Nyship [503200705] | $10 - $71 | 422% |
| Orscheln Industries [503201608] | $10 - $70 | 422% |
| Meritain Health [503200039] | $11 - $78 | 464% |
| Wppa [503200056] | $11 - $78 | 464% |
| Workers Comp [503999901] | $12 - $88 | 506% |
| Three Rivers Provider Network [503999029] | $12 - $84 | 506% |
| Sanford Health Plan [503999027] | $12 - $84 | 506% |
| Plan Care America [503999026] | $12 - $84 | 506% |
| Usa Managed Care [503999030] | $12 - $84 | 506% |
| Employers Health Network [503999025] | $12 - $84 | 506% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure, the University of Kansas Hospital's cash price of $3.00 is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rates, which range from $4 to $88 depending on the payer. While the hospital's cash rate is well below the state average of $17.00, patients with high-deductible plans should consider paying cash directly, as the insurance negotiated rates often exceed the cash price. The facility offers a prompt-pay discount for upfront payments, which can further reduce the cost, and patients are encouraged to ask about self-pay rates before scheduling to avoid being billed the higher insurance negotiated amount.
The facility's negotiated rates also compare favorably against the Medicare benchmark, with a ratio of 5.1 times the Medicare amount of $2.37. This indicates that while the facility charges more than the federal baseline, the rates are structured within typical commercial ranges. To ensure you are not overcharged, always request an itemized bill that breaks down specific CPT codes rather than accepting a summary invoice, and verify your deductible status before using insurance to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.