Blood test, creatinine (kidney)
Facility: Ashland Health Center
Billing Code: 82565 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82565
- Insurance Median: $21
- Cash Discount Price: $21
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.10x 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 $5.12 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 410% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 310%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $6 - $12 | 117% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas-All Plans | $14 - $30 | 273% |
| Compalliance-All Plans | $14 - $28 | 273% |
| Aetna | $17 - $35 | 332% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $17 - $35 | 332% |
| Medicare (plans) | $17 - $35 | 332% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $17 - $35 | 332% |
| Health Choice-All Plans | $17 - $35 | 332% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $17 - $35 | 332% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $17 - $34 | 332% |
| Medica Mcare - All Plans | $17 - $35 | 332% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $26 - $52 | 508% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for creatinine (kidney) at Ashland Health Center in Ashland, KS, the facility's cash median rate is $21.00, which is lower than the state average of $26.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna range between $14 and $35, these amounts often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might save money by paying cash directly. It is important to note that while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network rates can vary significantly between carriers and may not always represent the lowest possible cost.
Patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates can sometimes be higher than the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics, so asking for a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount at the time of registration is a smart financial move. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you have the right to request an itemized audit to identify errors or unbundled codes, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. Additionally, under the No Surprises Act, you are protected from balance billing for emergency or non-emergency services at in-network facilities, so you should never feel pressured to sign away your rights to dispute a bill immediately. Always compare the final allowed amount to the Medicare benchmark of $5.12 to ensure you are not overpaying, as this federal rate represents the true cost baseline for this procedure.