Blood test, creatinine (kidney)
Facility: Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center
Billing Code: 82565 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82565
- Insurance Median: $5
- Cash Discount Price: $9
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.98x 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 $5.12 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 | $2 - $5 | 39% |
| Triwest | $5 | 98% |
| Aetna | $5 - $9 | 98% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $5 - $7 | 98% |
| Cigna | $9 | 176% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for creatinine at Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center in Wichita, KS, the cash price is $9.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This service is billed under CPT code 82565, and while the facility is a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital, the data does not provide a specific county or state average for comparison. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $9.00 upfront can sometimes be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs, and they should explicitly request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount classification at registration to ensure they receive the lowest possible rate.
Regarding billing transparency, patients should avoid accepting summary bills that only show broad categories like "Laboratory," as these can obscure individual code costs and potential errors. Instead, requesting a full itemized bill with specific CPT codes is the most effective way to identify unbundled charges or services not rendered, which can significantly reduce medical debt. Additionally, while the facility's gross charge is $9.00, the Medicare benchmark for this service is $5.12, serving as a scientifically validated baseline for fair pricing. Commercial rates are often marked up significantly above this baseline, so comparing the final allowed amount to the Medicare rate rather than the hospital's inflated chargemaster list provides a clearer picture of the true cost of care.