Blood test, vitamin D
Facility: Stormont Vail Hospital
Billing Code: 82306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82306
- Insurance Median: $178
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.01x 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 $29.6 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 601% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 501%). 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 | $26 - $218 | 88% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $26 | 88% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $26 | 88% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for vitamin D at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $26 to $218, with a median negotiated payment of $178.00. This commercial rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $29.60, reflecting the administrative costs and contract structures inherent in insurance billing. While the facility is in-network for Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Ambetter / Centene, patients should be aware that cash-pay options may offer a lower total cost. If your insurance plan has a high deductible or if the negotiated rate exceeds your out-of-pocket maximum, paying directly for the service could result in a lower final bill, provided you secure a prompt-pay discount before the claim is submitted.
To ensure you receive the best possible rate, it is critical to request a self-pay classification and a prompt-pay discount prior to scheduling your appointment. Hospitals often default to insurance processing once a card is on file, which can void any upfront payment incentives. Additionally, while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, you should always request a full itemized bill to verify that no unexpected charges were added. Given that over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, reviewing the detailed line items before payment can help identify unbundled codes or services not rendered, ensuring you are only paying for what was actually provided.