Blood test, hemoglobin
Facility: Lane County Hospital
Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 85018
- Insurance Median: $30
- Cash Discount Price: $30
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 12.66x 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 1266% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1166%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $27 - $28 | 1139% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $27 - $30 | 1139% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $30 | 1266% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $30 | 1266% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $30 - $33 | 1266% |
| Wppa Providers-All Plans | $45 | 1899% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for hemoglobin (CPT 85018) at Lane County Hospital in Dighton, KS, the cash price is $30.00, which matches the facility's negotiated rate and the median amount paid across all payers. This rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $2.37, reflecting a markup of 12.7 times the federal baseline. While commercial insurance plans like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare negotiate rates between $27 and $33, these figures often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying out-of-pocket or utilizing a prompt-pay discount before the insurance claim is processed.
It is important to note that the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, and while the state and county averages are not explicitly listed in this specific dataset, the Medicare rate serves as the objective cost baseline for evaluating pricing fairness. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate may be unnecessary if the deductible has not yet been met. To ensure you are receiving the best possible price, we recommend contacting 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, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance billing.