Blood test, hemoglobin
Facility: University Of Ks Hlth System Great Bend Campus
Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 85018
- Insurance Median: $16
- Cash Discount Price: $6
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.75x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 675% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 575%). 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] | $5 - $39 | 211% |
| Alt Wppa [5032000964] | $5 - $39 | 211% |
| Meritain Health [503200039] | $5 - $56 | 211% |
| Alt Carelon Behavioral Health [503200905] | $6 - $46 | 253% |
| Aha-Healthcare Preferred [503200050] | $7 - $56 | 295% |
| Alt Meritain Health [503999911] | $7 - $56 | 295% |
| First Health [5032000110] | $7 - $56 | 295% |
| Allied National [503999937] | $7 - $56 | 295% |
| Cigna | $7 - $74 | 295% |
| National Assn Letter Carriers [503200019] | $7 - $56 | 295% |
| Aetna | $7 - $56 | 295% |
| Php [503200005] | $7 - $56 | 295% |
| Correct Care Solutions [50311253] | $8 - $65 | 338% |
| Workers Comp [503999901] | $10 - $79 | 422% |
| Usa Managed Care [503999030] | $11 - $84 | 464% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure, the facility's cash price of $6.00 is significantly lower than the negotiated rates charged to insurance plans, which range from $5 to $84 depending on the payer. While the facility's cash rate is notably lower than the state average for this service, patients with high-deductible plans should consider paying out-of-pocket, as the insurance negotiated rates often exceed the cash price. To secure the lowest possible cost, individuals should ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the bill by offering immediate liquidity incentives that bypass standard insurance billing cycles.
It is important to distinguish between the facility's gross charge of $28.00 and the actual amounts paid, as the Medicare benchmark of $2.37 serves as the most reliable baseline for evaluating fair pricing. Commercial negotiated rates frequently include administrative overhead that inflates the cost beyond the true service value, making a direct comparison with the Medicare rate essential for understanding the markup. If a patient receives an itemized bill that includes unexpected charges or appears to be a summary rather than a detailed statement, they should request a full line-by-line audit to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected through formal written disputes.