Blood test, vitamin D
Facility: Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City
Billing Code: 82306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82306
- Insurance Median: $239
- Cash Discount Price: $137
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.07x 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 $29.6 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 807% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 707%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $30 - $257 | 101% |
| Kansas Health | $30 | 101% |
| Humana | $30 | 101% |
| Cigna | $30 | 101% |
| Aetna | $30 - $273 | 101% |
| Kaiser | $30 | 101% |
| Medicare (plans) | $30 | 101% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $37 | 125% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $225 | 760% |
| Wpaa | $239 | 807% |
| Multiplan | $273 - $307 | 922% |
| Christian Health Aid | $273 | 922% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $307 | 1037% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For CPT code 82306, a blood test for vitamin D, the facility in Dodge City, KS, lists a gross charge of $342.00. While the facility's cash median price is $137.00, which is lower than the state average, the negotiated rates paid by commercial insurers range from $30 to $307. This variation highlights that in-network rates are not uniform; some plans pay significantly less than others, while others approach the gross charge. Patients with high-deductible plans should consider that paying the cash price of $137.00 upfront might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially if their plan's negotiated rate exceeds the cash price or if they have not yet met their deductible. It is always advisable to ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $29.60, providing a clear baseline for evaluating pricing markups. The facility's cash rate of $137.00 is roughly 8.1 times the Medicare amount, while the median negotiated rate across payers is $239.00. This data illustrates that commercial rates often exceed fair pricing benchmarks, which are typically defined as 120% to 150% of the Medicare rate. To ensure accuracy and avoid overpayment, consumers should request an itemized bill that breaks down the specific CPT codes, rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual charges. If discrepancies are found, such as unbundled services or charges for items not rendered, a formal written dispute should be