Blood test, basic metabolic panel
Facility: Kansas Heart Hospital
Billing Code: 80048 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80048
- Insurance Median: $8
- Cash Discount Price: $20
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.95x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $3 | 35% |
| Celtic Mcr Adv | $8 | 95% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $8 | 95% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $8 | 95% |
| Humana | $8 | 95% |
| Tricare | $8 | 95% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $13 | 154% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $13 | 154% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $29 | 343% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the basic metabolic panel service at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, KS, the cash price of $20.00 is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $8.00 and the median paid amount of $21.00. While the facility's negotiated rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $8.46, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price upfront more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which often results in higher out-of-pocket costs due to administrative fees and claim processing delays. It is important to note that while the facility is in-network for nine payers including Aetna, UnitedHealthcare, and Medicaid/KanCare, the actual amount paid varies by plan; therefore, patients should verify their specific deductible status and allowed amounts before scheduling to avoid unexpected balance billing or surprise costs.
To ensure you receive the most accurate pricing, we recommend requesting a prompt-pay discount before check-in, as hospitals often offer immediate fee reductions of 20% to 50% for upfront payments that bypass costly insurance billing cycles. Additionally, if you receive a bill that includes charges for services not rendered or unbundled components, you should request a full itemized audit rather than accepting a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital invoices contain errors that can be corrected. Always confirm whether the facility offers self-pay or prompt-pay rates prior to registration, as these discounts are frequently waived if the hospital automatically submits a claim to your insurance carrier.