Blood test, basic metabolic panel
Facility: Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc
Billing Code: 80048 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80048
- Insurance Median: $9
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.06x 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 $8.46 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $8 | 95% |
| Va | $8 | 95% |
| Vc Hope | $8 | 95% |
| Via Christi Research | $8 | 95% |
| Medicare (plans) | $8 - $9 | 95% |
| Humana | $8 | 95% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $9 - $24 | 106% |
| Smarthealth | $9 - $12 | 106% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $9 | 106% |
| Corizon | $11 | 130% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $14 | 165% |
| Aetna | $27 | 319% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $34 | 402% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 80048, representing a basic metabolic panel, the negotiated rates at Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc. range from $8 to $34 across 13 different payers, with the highest negotiated amount reaching $34 for Aetna. This facility is located in Wichita, Kansas (ZIP 67235), and operates as a voluntary non-profit acute care hospital. While the data does not provide a specific county average for comparison, the facility's pricing structure reflects the typical commercial negotiation dynamics where rates vary significantly by insurer. It is important to note that cash-pay rates are not listed in this report; however, patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying cash directly is more cost-effective if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the facility's cash price, which is often the case when commercial rates are inflated by administrative overhead.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is crucial to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or charges for services not rendered. Additionally, you should inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, bypassing the costly claims processing cycle. If you receive a balance bill for an out-of-network service, remember that the No Surprises Act generally protects you from paying the difference between the provider's chargemaster and your insurance allowed amount for emergency care or non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Always verify your deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in significant