Blood test, potassium
Facility: Ellinwood District Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $33
- Cash Discount Price: $41
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.93x 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 693% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 593%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $33 | 693% |
| Aetna | $33 | 693% |
| Cigna | $33 | 693% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $33 | 693% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $33 | 693% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for potassium (CPT 84132) at Ellinwood District Hospital in Ellinwood, KS, the facility's cash median rate is $41.00, which is $6.90 higher than the state average. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major payers like Humana, Aetna, and Cigna are set at $33.00, this amount is actually lower than the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might find paying out-of-pocket cheaper if they have not yet met their deductible. It is important to note that the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, and while the data shows a single plan for each of the five major insurers, patients should verify their specific coverage details before scheduling to ensure they are utilizing the correct negotiated rate.
When reviewing your bill, remember that hospitals often issue summary invoices that group charges into broad categories like "Laboratory," which can obscure the exact cost of individual tests. To avoid overpaying, request a full itemized bill that lists every CPT code and unit cost to identify any unbundled charges or services not rendered. Additionally, since the negotiated rate of $33.00 is lower than the cash price, you should confirm whether your insurance plan has met its deductible; if not, you may be responsible for the full negotiated amount. If you do pay out-of-pocket, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final balance by 20% to 50% if settled within 30 days, effectively bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.