Blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 80061 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80061
- Insurance Median: $14
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.05x 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 $13.39 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mdsave | $12 | 90% |
| Smarthealth | $12 - $19 | 90% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $13 | 97% |
| Humana | $13 | 97% |
| Medicare (plans) | $13 - $14 | 97% |
| Via Christi Research | $13 | 97% |
| Vc Hope | $13 | 97% |
| Va | $13 | 97% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $14 | 105% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $14 - $37 | 105% |
| Corizon | $17 | 127% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $23 | 172% |
| Aetna | $42 | 314% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $54 | 403% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel) service at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., the negotiated rates range from $12 to $54 depending on your specific insurance plan. While the facility's negotiated rate of $14.00 is slightly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $13.39, it remains consistent with the state average for Kansas. Because commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price by 20% to 40%, patients with high-deductible plans should consider whether paying the cash price directly might be more affordable than using their insurance, which could result in a higher out-of-pocket cost if the negotiated rate exceeds their deductible threshold.
To minimize unexpected costs, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims. It is also important to request a full itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes that can be corrected. By comparing the facility's rates directly to the Medicare benchmark and verifying your deductible status before scheduling, you can ensure you are paying the most transparent and fair price available for this service.