Blood test, potassium
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $5
- Cash Discount Price: $22
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.05x 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 $4.76 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% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $4 | 84% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4 - $13 | 84% |
| Aetna | $4 | 84% |
| Providrs Care | $5 | 105% |
| Medicare (plans) | $5 | 105% |
| Humana | $5 | 105% |
| Va | $5 | 105% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $8 | 168% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $48 - $50 | 1008% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood potassium test at Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc., the cash price of $22.00 is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rates, which range from $1 to $50 depending on the insurance plan. While the facility's cash rate is notably lower than the state average for this procedure, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more affordable if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds $22.00. It is important to note that commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price by 20% to 40%, meaning the negotiated amount paid by insurers can be substantially higher than the direct cash price.
To minimize costs, patients should verify their specific plan's negotiated rate before scheduling, as in-network coverage does not guarantee the lowest possible price. If you are self-paying, ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront. Additionally, if you have insurance, ensure you are not inadvertently signing away rights to dispute out-of-network charges, as the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Always request a full itemized bill before paying to avoid summary invoices that may contain errors or unbundled charges.