Blood test, average blood sugar (A1c)
Facility: Grisell Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 83036 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83036
- Insurance Median: $49
- Cash Discount Price: $81
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.05x 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 505% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 405%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $8 - $63 | 82% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $34 | 350% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $85 | 875% |
| Humana | $85 | 875% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood sugar (A1c) test at Grisell Memorial Hospital in Ransom, KS, the cash median price is $81.00, which is slightly lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $74.00 and significantly below the gross charge of $85.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, patients should be aware that commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield have negotiated rates ranging from $8 to $85 depending on the specific plan. Because the cash price is often lower than the insurance negotiated rate, patients with high-deductible plans may save money by paying cash upfront, provided they secure a "prompt-pay" discount before the claim is submitted to the insurer.
To ensure you receive the best possible rate, it is crucial to request a self-pay classification and ask about prompt-pay discounts before scheduling your visit, as billing systems may automatically submit claims to insurance once a card is on file. If you do receive a balance bill for the difference between the allowed amount and the full charge, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from being billed for out-of-network services at in-network facilities. Finally, always request an itemized bill to verify that no services were unbundled or double-charged, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written audit dispute.