Blood test, average blood sugar (A1c)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc
Billing Code: 83036 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83036
- Insurance Median: $10
- Cash Discount Price: $24
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.03x 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 $9.71 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 | $8 - $14 | 82% |
| Va | $10 | 103% |
| Humana | $10 | 103% |
| Providrs Care | $10 | 103% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $10 | 103% |
| Aetna | $10 | 103% |
| Medicare (plans) | $10 | 103% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $10 - $27 | 103% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $17 | 175% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $52 - $130 | 536% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood sugar (A1c) test at Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, the cash median price is $24.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rates of $10.00 and the Medicare benchmark of $9.71. While the facility is located in Manhattan, Kansas (ZIP 66502), the data does not provide specific county or state average figures for comparison. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the $24.00 cash price more advantageous than using insurance, as commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. To secure the best possible rate, patients should explicitly request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront.
Insurance coverage varies widely across the ten payers represented in this report, with negotiated rates ranging from $8 to $130 depending on the carrier and plan. For instance, Smarthealth offers a range of $8 to $14 across four plans, while Blue Cross Blue Shield rates span from $52 to $130 across four plans. Medicare serves as the most consistent baseline, with ten plans averaging $9.71, whereas UnitedHealthcare shows the widest variance between $17 and $27. Because commercial rates are often inflated by multi-layered billing structures, it is critical to verify the specific allowed amount for your plan rather than assuming in-network status guarantees the lowest price. Always confirm your deductible status before proceeding, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying cash