Blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel)
Facility: Ellinwood District Hospital
Billing Code: 80061 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80061
- Insurance Median: $47
- Cash Discount Price: $57
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.51x 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 $13.39 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 351% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 251%). 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 | $47 | 351% |
| Cigna | $47 | 351% |
| Humana | $47 | 351% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $47 | 351% |
| Aetna | $47 | 351% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel) procedure at Ellinwood District Hospital in Kansas, the cash median price is $57.00, while the median negotiated rate across five payers is $47.00. This facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by the Government - Hospital District or Authority, shows a negotiated rate that is 30% lower than its gross charge of $67.00. When comparing these rates to the broader market, the facility's cash price of $57.00 is notably higher than the state average for this service, which sits at $47.00. However, for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $57.00 upfront could be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate of $47.00 often exceeds the cash price due to administrative overheads included in commercial contracts.
Patients should be aware that hospitals often issue summary bills that obscure individual line items, making it difficult to identify errors or unbundled charges. To protect against overcharging, consumers should request a full itemized CPT-coded bill before paying, ensuring that services like the lipid panel are charged at the correct unit cost rather than broad categories. Additionally, since this facility offers a cash price of $57.00, patients should explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as paying in full within a short window can sometimes reduce the final amount. It is also important to verify your deductible status before using insurance, as paying the negotiated rate of $47.00 may not cover your costs if your plan has not yet met its deductible threshold.