Blood test, potassium
Facility: Rawlins County Health Center
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $21
- Cash Discount Price: $23
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.41x 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 441% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 341%). 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 | $10 | 210% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $21 - $26 | 441% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For a blood test for potassium at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas, the cash price is $23.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $21.00. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates ranging from $10 to $26, these amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the $23.00 cash price more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially if their plan's negotiated rate is higher than the cash amount. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network rates vary significantly even within the same facility.
This service is priced at 4.4% above the Medicare benchmark of $4.76, which serves as a reliable baseline for evaluating fair pricing. The facility, a Critical Access Hospital, reports a cash median of $23.00, which is notably lower than the state average for similar services. To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, we recommend asking the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% when paid upfront. Additionally, if you receive an itemized bill, request a full line-by-line audit to identify any errors or unbundled charges, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected to lower your total cost.