Blood test, hemoglobin
Facility: Ellinwood District Hospital
Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 85018
- Insurance Median: $33
- Cash Discount Price: $40
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 13.92x 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 $2.37 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 1392% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1292%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna | $32 - $33 | 1350% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $32 - $33 | 1350% |
| Humana | $32 - $33 | 1350% |
| Aetna | $32 - $33 | 1350% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $32 - $33 | 1350% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for hemoglobin at Ellinwood District Hospital, the facility's cash median price is $40.00, while the negotiated rate for in-network insurance is $33.00. This specific service is priced at 13.9% above the Medicare benchmark of $2.37, reflecting the standard administrative markup inherent in commercial billing structures. While the negotiated rate is lower than the cash price, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the $40.00 cash price more cost-effective if their insurance allowed amount exceeds this figure, as they would otherwise face significant out-of-pocket costs before meeting their deductible. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest possible price can lead to unexpected financial burden.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid upfront, bypassing the administrative overhead of insurance claims. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, requesting a detailed, itemized statement is crucial to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered before making a payment. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Ellinwood, Kansas, and its pricing is based on the 2026-06 data vintage, ensuring transparency for consumers comparing rates against local market standards.