Blood test, potassium
Facility: Grisell Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $14
- Cash Discount Price: $25
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.94x 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 $4.76 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 294% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 194%). 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 | $1 - $20 | 21% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $9 | 189% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $26 | 546% |
| Humana | $26 | 546% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for potassium at Grisell Memorial Hospital in Ransom, KS, the facility's cash median price of $25.00 is slightly lower than the state average of $26.00, making it a competitive option for self-pay patients. While the hospital's negotiated rate with Medicaid/KanCare is $26.00, the cash price remains the most affordable option for individuals without insurance or those with high-deductible plans, as paying out-of-pocket avoids the administrative markup often found in commercial contracts. Because the cash price is lower than the facility's gross charge of $26.00, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can further lower the final cost by bypassing the standard insurance billing cycle.
When comparing this service to Medicare, the facility's cash rate of $25.00 is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $4.76, reflecting the typical markup in commercial healthcare pricing. However, for patients who have not yet met their deductible, the negotiated rate of $23.00 paid by insurers may be more cost-effective than the cash price, as the patient would otherwise be responsible for the full $25.00. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still review their itemized bills carefully to ensure no unexpected charges for ancillary services were added. If you receive a bill that seems higher than expected, you have the right to request a formal itemized audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services that were