Blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel)
Facility: Wesley Medical Center
Billing Code: 80061 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80061
- Insurance Median: $30
- Cash Discount Price: $800
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.24x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 224% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 124%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $13 | 97% |
| Coventry Health Care | $13 | 97% |
| United | $13 - $360 | 97% |
| Devoted Health | $13 | 97% |
| Aetna | $13 - $286 | 97% |
| Humana | $13 | 97% |
| Triwest Health Alliance | $14 | 105% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $14 | 105% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $14 - $144 | 105% |
| Amerigroup | $14 | 105% |
| Correct Care Solutions | $20 | 149% |
| First Health | $28 - $369 | 209% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $30 | 224% |
| Multiplan | $30 - $720 | 224% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $138 - $400 | 1031% |
| Wppa | $139 | 1038% |
| Medical Associates Health Plan | $151 | 1128% |
| Preferred Health Choices | $151 | 1128% |
| Spirit Aerosystems | $256 | 1912% |
| Triwest Healthcare Alliance | $520 | 3883% |
| Usa Managed Care | $680 | 5078% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel) service at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS, the cash price is $800.00, which matches the facility's cash median. This rate is significantly higher than the state average, indicated by a 2.2x multiplier compared to Medicare's benchmark of $13.39. While commercial insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare and Coventry Health Care have negotiated rates starting at $13, many other payers, including Multiplan and First Health, have negotiated rates ranging from $28 to $720. Patients with high-deductible plans may find the $800 cash price more affordable than their specific insurance negotiated rate, which could exceed the cash amount depending on their plan's tier. It is important to verify your specific deductible status and allowed amount before scheduling to ensure you are not paying more than necessary.
To minimize potential costs, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, if you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or for services not covered by your plan, you may be subject to balance billing, where you are charged the difference between the provider's full rate and what your insurance pays. Under the No Surprises Act, balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities is generally prohibited, so you should dispute any unexpected bills and request a formal audit. Always demand a detailed, itemized bill before agreeing to pay, as summary bills often hide errors or unbundled charges that can be corrected through a written dispute sent to the