Blood test, hemoglobin
Facility: Kansas Heart Hospital
Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 85018
- Insurance Median: $2
- Cash Discount Price: $13
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.84x 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 $2.37 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medicaid / KanCare | $2 | 84% |
| Tricare | $2 | 84% |
| Humana | $2 | 84% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2 | 84% |
| Celtic Mcr Adv | $2 | 84% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $7 | 295% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $8 | 338% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $19 | 802% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
This blood test for hemoglobin at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, KS, carries a gross charge of $21.00, with a cash median price of $13.00 and a negotiated median paid amount of $14.00. While the facility's negotiated rate is slightly higher than its cash price, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying out-of-pocket cheaper if their insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash rate. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and can be significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $2.37 for this service, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for true cost.
For patients concerned about unexpected costs, it is crucial to verify whether the facility is truly in-network for your specific plan, as some in-network hospitals charge substantially more than others. If you are self-paying or have a plan with a high deductible, you should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Additionally, if you receive a summary bill, request a detailed itemized audit to ensure no errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected through formal written disputes.