Blood test, sodium
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc
Billing Code: 84295 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84295
- Insurance Median: $5
- Cash Discount Price: $16
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.04x 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 $4.81 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 | 83% |
| Aetna | $4 | 83% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4 - $13 | 83% |
| Providrs Care | $5 | 104% |
| Medicare (plans) | $5 | 104% |
| Humana | $5 | 104% |
| Va | $5 | 104% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $8 | 166% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $35 - $37 | 728% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for sodium (CPT 84295) at Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc, the facility's cash price of $16.00 is significantly lower than the state average of $41.00. While the hospital's negotiated rates for in-network payers like Medicaid/KanCare, Aetna, and UnitedHealthcare range from $4 to $13, these amounts are still higher than the cash price. This pricing structure suggests that patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may save money by paying the cash price directly, as the insurance negotiated rates often exceed the cash rate. To maximize savings, patients should explicitly ask the registration desk about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill before any insurance claim is processed.
It is important to understand that the $41.00 gross charge listed represents the hospital's full list price, not the amount most patients will actually pay. Under federal protections like the No Surprises Act, patients should not expect to be balance billed for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, though they should verify that all ancillary services, such as specific lab components, are covered under the same network agreement. If a patient receives an unexpected bill, they should request a formal itemized audit to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. Comparing this service to the Medicare benchmark of $4.81 reveals that the facility's rates are higher than the federal baseline, which is typical for commercial pricing, but the cash option remains the most cost-effective path for self-pay patients.