Blood test, sodium
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 84295 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84295
- Insurance Median: $5
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.04x 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 $4.81 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Smarthealth | $1 - $7 | 21% |
| Humana | $5 | 104% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $5 | 104% |
| Medicare (plans) | $5 | 104% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $5 | 104% |
| Va | $5 | 104% |
| Vc Hope | $5 | 104% |
| Via Christi Research | $5 | 104% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $5 - $13 | 104% |
| Corizon | $6 | 125% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $8 | 166% |
| Aetna | $15 | 312% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $19 | 395% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for sodium at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., the Medicare benchmark rate is $4.81, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating pricing fairness. While the facility's median negotiated rate is $5.00, this figure represents the average amount commercial insurers pay under contract and is not necessarily the lowest possible cost. Patients with high-deductible plans or those paying out-of-pocket should be aware that cash-pay rates can sometimes be lower than the insurance negotiated rate; however, since the cash median and specific cash price are not available in this dataset, the exact savings cannot be determined. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can offer significant fee reductions for upfront payment, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance billing cycles.
This service is provided by a voluntary non-profit private hospital in Wichita, Kansas, and is covered by 13 different payers, including Medicare, which has 10 plans participating. Because the facility is in-network for most major carriers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, patients are protected from balance billing for this specific service under the No Surprises Act, meaning the insurer will handle the difference between the allowed amount and the negotiated rate. However, patients should still request a detailed, itemized billing audit if they receive a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. By comparing the facility's rates to the Medicare benchmark rather than the inflated chargemaster list, consumers can better understand the true cost of care and avoid unexpected financial surprises.