Blood test, basic metabolic panel
Facility: Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center
Billing Code: 80048 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80048
- Insurance Median: $9
- Cash Discount Price: $20
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.06x 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 $8.46 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 | $4 - $8 | 47% |
| Aetna | $8 - $20 | 95% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $8 - $13 | 95% |
| Triwest | $9 | 106% |
| Cigna | $14 | 165% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 80048, representing a basic metabolic panel at Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center in Wichita, KS, the cash price is $20.00. This cash rate is 130% higher than the Medicare benchmark of $8.46, which serves as the federal baseline for healthcare costs. While commercial insurance plans like UnitedHealthcare, Aetna, and Blue Cross Blue Shield have negotiated rates ranging from $4.00 to $14.00 depending on the specific plan, these amounts are often higher than the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the $20.00 cash rate directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially if their negotiated allowed amount exceeds the cash price.
To minimize out-of-pocket expenses, patients should proactively contact the facility to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% when paid upfront. It is also important to request a full itemized bill before finalizing payment to ensure no errors or unbundled charges are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. While this specific service does not include a state or county average for comparison in the provided data, understanding the difference between the cash rate, the Medicare benchmark, and your specific insurance negotiated rate is essential for making informed financial decisions regarding your care.