Blood test, hemoglobin
Facility: Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc
Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 85018
- Insurance Median: $2
- Cash Discount Price: $17
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Providrs Care Network | $2 | 84% |
| United Mine Workers Of America | $2 | 84% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $2 | 84% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $2 - $3 | 84% |
| Humana | $2 | 84% |
| Aetna | $2 - $3 | 84% |
| Lantern Specialty Care | $4 | 169% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, hemoglobin (CPT 85018) at Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc in Wichita, KS, the cash median price is $17.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rates of $2.00 and the Medicare benchmark of $2.37. While the facility is owned by a physician and serves seven payers including UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, patients with high-deductible plans may find the cash price more advantageous if their insurance negotiated rates exceed this amount. It is important to note that commercial rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can inflate the baseline price, so comparing directly to the Medicare rate provides a clearer picture of the true cost of delivery rather than relying on the hospital's gross charge.
Before scheduling, patients should verify their specific plan details and ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payments. Since the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients can avoid unexpected charges by ensuring their provider is properly classified. If a discrepancy arises, requesting a formal, itemized billing audit is the most effective way to identify errors or unbundled codes, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes that can be corrected through written dispute to the billing supervisor.