Blood test, basic metabolic panel
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 80048 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80048
- Insurance Median: $9
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.06x 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 $8.46 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare (plans) | $8 - $9 | 95% |
| Humana | $8 | 95% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $8 | 95% |
| Vc Hope | $8 | 95% |
| Va | $8 | 95% |
| Via Christi Research | $8 | 95% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $9 | 106% |
| Smarthealth | $9 - $12 | 106% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $9 - $24 | 106% |
| Corizon | $11 | 130% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $14 | 165% |
| Mdsave | $20 | 236% |
| Aetna | $27 | 319% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $34 | 402% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test service at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., the facility's negotiated rates range from $8.46 to $34.00 depending on the insurance plan, with a median negotiated amount of $9.00. These commercial rates are significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $8.46, reflecting the administrative costs and contract structures associated with private insurance. While the facility is located in Wichita, Kansas, the provided data does not include specific state or county average comparisons for this procedure, so patients should focus on understanding how their specific plan's negotiated rate compares to the Medicare baseline to gauge potential markups.
Patients should be aware that while insurance offers a negotiated ceiling, paying cash upfront may sometimes result in a lower total cost, especially if the insurance deductible has not yet been met. Many facilities offer prompt-pay discounts for self-pay patients who settle the bill immediately, which can bypass the administrative overhead of insurance claims processing. It is crucial to ask the hospital directly about self-pay or prompt-pay rates before scheduling, as waiting until after receiving an insurance bill may forfeit these savings. Additionally, if you encounter a balance bill from an out-of-network provider at this in-network facility, you may be eligible to dispute the amount under the No Surprises Act, and you should always request a full itemized bill to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included.