Hepatitis C antibody test
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 86803 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 86803
- Insurance Median: $14
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.98x 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 $14.27 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 | $13 - $20 | 91% |
| Humana | $14 | 98% |
| Medicare (plans) | $14 - $15 | 98% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $14 | 98% |
| Va | $14 | 98% |
| Via Christi Research | $14 | 98% |
| Vc Hope | $14 | 98% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $15 | 105% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $15 - $40 | 105% |
| Corizon | $18 | 126% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $24 | 168% |
| Aetna | $45 | 315% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $58 | 406% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the Hepatitis C antibody test (CPT code 86803) at Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc., the facility's negotiated rates range from $13 to $58 depending on the insurance plan. These prices are significantly higher than the state of Kansas average, which sits at $14.27 according to Medicare benchmarks. While commercial insurance contracts cap charges to protect members, these negotiated amounts often exceed what a patient would pay out-of-pocket. For individuals with high-deductible plans, paying cash directly can sometimes result in lower total costs if the insurance negotiated rate is substantially higher than the cash price. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling and ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% when paid upfront.
It is important to understand that commercial rates are not always the lowest possible option due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics. The facility's data shows a median negotiated rate of $14.00, which aligns closely with the Medicare benchmark of $14.27, suggesting a pricing structure that is relatively fair compared to the national average of 200% to 300% of Medicare. However, patients should be cautious of balance billing if they receive care from out-of-network providers, as this can lead to unexpected charges for the difference between the provider's full list price and the insurance payment. If a patient receives a surprise bill, they should dispute it in writing with the insurer rather than paying immediately, and request an itemized audit to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered. Always confirm the billing classification at check