Blood test, potassium
Facility: Kansas Heart Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $5
- Cash Discount Price: $10
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.05x 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 $4.76 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $4 | 84% |
| Humana | $5 | 105% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $5 | 105% |
| Celtic Mcr Adv | $5 | 105% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $5 | 105% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $7 | 147% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $7 | 147% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $15 | 315% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for potassium (CPT 84132) at Kansas Heart Hospital in Wichita, KS, the cash median price is $10.00, while the median negotiated rate across eight payers is $5.00. This facility's cash price is 100% higher than the state average, which is a critical factor for patients with high-deductible plans who may find paying out-of-pocket cheaper than using insurance if the negotiated rate exceeds their cash option. Although the facility offers a proprietary ownership structure and a 4-star rating, patients should verify if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can significantly reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative claim processing fees.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $4.76, meaning the cash price of $10.00 represents a 110% markup compared to the federal baseline, while the negotiated rate of $5.00 is approximately 105% of the Medicare amount. Given that commercial rates often average 200% to 300% of Medicare, this facility's pricing is notably lower than typical commercial markups, though still above the Medicare cost basis. Patients should request an itemized billing audit to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through written disputes. Additionally, if any ancillary services are out-of-network, the No Surprises Act may protect patients from balance billing, but it is essential to confirm network status and deductible coverage before proceeding.