Blood test, average blood sugar (A1c)
Facility: University Of Ks Hlth System Great Bend Campus
Billing Code: 83036 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83036
- Insurance Median: $60
- Cash Discount Price: $20
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.18x 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 $9.71 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 618% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 518%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wppa [503200056] | $42 | 433% |
| Alt Wppa [5032000964] | $42 | 433% |
| Meritain Health [503200039] | $42 - $60 | 433% |
| Alt Carelon Behavioral Health [503200905] | $50 | 515% |
| Aha-Healthcare Preferred [503200050] | $60 | 618% |
| Php [503200005] | $60 | 618% |
| Aetna | $60 | 618% |
| National Assn Letter Carriers [503200019] | $60 | 618% |
| First Health [5032000110] | $60 | 618% |
| Allied National [503999937] | $60 | 618% |
| Cigna | $60 - $80 | 618% |
| Alt Meritain Health [503999911] | $60 | 618% |
| Correct Care Solutions [50311253] | $70 | 721% |
| Workers Comp [503999901] | $85 | 875% |
| Usa Managed Care [503999030] | $90 | 927% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood sugar (A1c) test at the University of KS Health System Great Bend Campus, the facility's cash price of $20.00 is significantly lower than the state average of $63.00 and the median negotiated rate of $60.00. While many commercial payers have negotiated rates ranging from $42 to $80, the cash price offers a substantial discount for patients without insurance or those with high-deductible plans. Because commercial contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price by 20% to 40%, paying cash upfront can sometimes be cheaper than relying on insurance, provided the patient's deductible has been met. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount and ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling to ensure they are not paying the full negotiated rate.
It is important to understand that commercial rates are not always the lowest possible option, as they are subject to complex contract dynamics that can result in higher costs than the Medicare benchmark of $9.71. The No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, but patients must still be vigilant against summary bills that obscure individual charges. If a patient receives an itemized bill that includes unexpected ancillary services or unbundled codes, they should request a formal written audit dispute to identify errors, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. By comparing the facility's rates directly to the Medicare baseline and seeking prompt-pay incentives, consumers can avoid unnecessary debt and ensure they are paying a fair price for their care.