Blood test, potassium
Facility: Lane County Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $33
- Cash Discount Price: $33
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $30 - $31 | 630% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $30 - $33 | 630% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $33 - $36 | 693% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $33 | 693% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $33 | 693% |
| Wppa Providers-All Plans | $50 | 1050% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood potassium test at Lane County Hospital in Dighton, KS, the cash price is $33.00, which matches the facility's negotiated rate and the median amount paid by insurers. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, the cash price aligns closely with the state average for this service. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the $33.00 cash price directly more cost-effective than using insurance, as commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. To potentially lower this cost further, patients should contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay discounts or prompt-pay incentives, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid upfront.
It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services like lab tests are billed separately. If you receive a bill that seems higher than the $33.00 cash rate, request a full itemized audit to verify that no unbundled codes or services not rendered have inflated the total. Comparing this charge to the Medicare benchmark of $4.76 reveals a significant markup, highlighting that commercial rates often include substantial administrative layers. Always ensure you are reviewing a detailed, line-by-line statement rather than a summary bill, and do not sign away your rights to dispute charges without first verifying the accuracy of the items listed.