Blood test, calcium
Facility: Lane County Hospital
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $37
- Cash Discount Price: $38
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.17x 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 $5.16 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 717% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 617%). 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 | $32 - $40 | 620% |
| Aetna | $32 - $38 | 620% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $35 - $40 | 678% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $35 - $44 | 678% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $35 - $40 | 678% |
| Wppa Providers-All Plans | $52 - $60 | 1008% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood calcium test at Lane County Hospital in Dighton, KS, the cash price is $38.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $37.00 and the state average of $38.00. While commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna negotiate rates ranging from $32 to $44, these amounts are generally higher than the cash price. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the $38.00 cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated allowed amounts often exceed the cash rate. To potentially lower the final cost, it is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront.
The facility's Medicare benchmark rate is $5.16, indicating that the cash price of $38.00 represents a markup of 7.2% over the federal baseline. This aligns with fair pricing standards, which typically range from 120% to 150% of the Medicare amount, whereas commercial negotiated rates can sometimes reach 200% to 300% of the Medicare rate. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you may be subject to balance billing, where the provider bills you for the difference between their full charge and what your insurance pays. However, the No Surprises Act protects you from such surprise bills for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. If you do receive a balance bill, do not pay immediately; instead, request a formal item