Blood test, calcium
Facility: Lmh
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $5
- Cash Discount Price: $32
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.97x 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 $5.16 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $5 - $46 | 97% |
| Cigna | $5 - $86 | 97% |
| Haskell Indian Health Services | $5 | 97% |
| Medicare (plans) | $5 | 97% |
| Allwell | $5 | 97% |
| Humana | $5 | 97% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $5 - $83 | 97% |
| Aetna | $6 - $107 | 116% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $8 | 155% |
| Non Contracted | $103 | 1996% |
| First Health | $120 | 2326% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood calcium test (CPT 82310) at Lmh in Lawrence, KS, the facility's cash median price of $32.00 is significantly lower than the state average for this service. While the facility's negotiated rates for commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Cigna range from $5 to $86, these amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash rate directly, as the insurance negotiated ceiling can be substantially higher than the self-pay amount. It is important to verify the specific allowed amount with your insurer before scheduling, as in-network rates vary widely even within the same facility.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount from the billing department before check-in, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing insurance claims processing. Additionally, since the Medicare benchmark for this code is $5.16, the commercial negotiated rates represent a significant markup compared to the federal baseline; fair pricing for this service typically aligns closer to 120% to 150% of the Medicare amount rather than the full chargemaster. If you receive a bill after using insurance, always request a detailed, itemized statement to identify any errors or unbundled charges, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected through a formal written audit.