Blood antibody screen
Facility: Grisell Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 86850 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 86850
- Insurance Median: $50
- Cash Discount Price: $103
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.94x 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 $53.24 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $11 - $80 | 21% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $20 | 38% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $108 | 203% |
| Humana | $108 | 203% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 86850, "Blood antibody screen," at Grisell Memorial Hospital in Ransom, KS, the facility's cash median price is $103.00, which is lower than the negotiated rates paid by commercial insurers such as UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government ownership, patients should be aware that cash payments can sometimes result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to insurance claims, particularly if a patient has a high deductible or has not yet met their plan's coverage threshold. The facility offers a prompt-pay discount for upfront payments, which can further reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative fees and claims processing costs that are often embedded in commercial negotiated rates.
When evaluating the cost of this service, it is important to compare the facility's pricing against the Medicare benchmark, which stands at $53.24 for this procedure. The facility's cash rate of $103.00 represents a markup relative to the federal baseline, though it remains below the gross chargemaster price of $108.00. Patients should request an itemized bill to ensure no errors exist and to verify that all charges align with the negotiated or cash rates. Additionally, since the facility is located in a rural area (Zip 67572), patients are encouraged to contact the billing department directly to confirm self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as these rates may differ from the standard insurance allowed amounts.