CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, glucose (blood sugar)

Facility: Mercy Hospital Columbus

Billing Code: 82947 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 82947
  • Insurance Median: $59
  • Cash Discount Price: $53
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 15.01x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, glucose (blood sugar) at Mercy Hospital Columbus is $59. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $53. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $3.93, this hospital’s rate is 15.01x the Medicare baseline. Located in 220 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Columbus, KS.
Cash / Self-Pay
$53

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$59

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$3.93

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $3.93 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $53 (1349%)
Insurance Median: $59 (1501%)
Cash: $53 (1349% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $59 (1501% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $3.93 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 1501% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1401%). 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.

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group Contract Rate Range vs. Medicare Reference
Humana $4 - $77 102%
UnitedHealthcare $4 - $67 102%
Medicare (plans) $4 - $61 102%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $4 - $59 102%
Medicaid / KanCare $4 - $59 102%
Insurance System Inc Contracted [320465] $35 891%
Health Systems Inc Contracted [320174] $35 891%
Administrative Payor Contracted [320005] $36 916%
Cigna $59 1501%
Novasys Contracted [320285] $59 1501%
Aetna $59 - $73 1501%
Globalhealth Contracted [320145] $59 1501%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432] $59 1501%
Centurion Of Missouri [20459] $59 1501%
Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066] $59 1501%
Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433] $59 1501%
Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450] $59 1501%
Home State Health Plan Contracted [320187] $59 1501%
Mercy Mgd Behavioral Health Contracted [320259] $59 1501%
Medical Associates Health Contracted [320444] $59 1501%
Indian Health Service Contracted [320198] $59 1501%
Cross Timbers Hospice [20098] $59 1501%
Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518] $59 1501%
Ambetter / Centene $59 1501%
Qual Choice Contracted [320325] $59 1501%
Mercy Hospice Okc [20252] $59 1501%
Kindful Hospice [20434] $59 1501%
Tricare $59 1501%
Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106] $59 1501%
Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434] $59 1501%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432] $59 1501%
Healthscope Contracted [320182] $62 1578%
Workers Comp [20426] $65 - $69 1654%
United Medical Resources Contracted [320454] $67 - $77 1705%
Medica Contracted [320239] $73 1858%
First Health Contracted [320128] $73 1858%
Usa Managed Care Org Contracted [320429] $73 1858%
Healthlink Contracted [320179] $73 - $77 1858%
Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251] $73 - $77 1858%
American Healthcare Alliance Contracted [320020] $73 1858%
Federal Medical Center Contracted [320127] $73 1858%
Preferred Health Plan Contracted [320522] $73 1858%
Private Health Care Systems Contracted [320320] $77 1959%
Aither Health Contracted [320449] $77 1959%
Reflect Health Contracted [320492] $77 1959%
Imagine 360 Contracted [320494] $77 1959%
Yuzu Health Contracted [320521] $77 1959%
Edison Health Solutions Contracted [320502] $77 1959%
Ebms Contracted [320493] $77 1959%
Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483] $77 1959%
Auxiant Contracted [320462] $77 1959%
Ppo Plus Contracted [320310] $77 1959%
Point C Contracted [320238] $77 1959%
Benefit Management Contracted [320052] $77 1959%
90 Degree Benefits Contracted [320436] $77 1959%

Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary

For this blood glucose test at Mercy Hospital Columbus, the facility's cash price of $53.00 is notably lower than the state average of $81.00 and significantly below the median negotiated rate of $59.00. While many commercial payers have negotiated rates ranging from $4 to $77, the cash price offers a distinct advantage for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, as it bypasses the administrative overhead and markup associated with insurance billing cycles. Patients should proactively request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as paying in full upfront can often secure a fee reduction of 20% to 50%, effectively lowering the cost further than the listed cash rate.

It is important to distinguish between the facility's gross charge of $81.00 and the actual amounts paid by insurers, which vary widely depending on the specific plan. Although the Medicare benchmark of $3.93 serves as a baseline for cost, commercial negotiated rates frequently exceed this by a significant margin due to administrative structures and contract dynamics. If you are using insurance, be aware that balance billing could occur if out-of-network ancillary services are rendered, though federal protections like the No Surprises Act may limit these charges for emergency care. To ensure you are receiving fair pricing, always request a detailed, itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, and verify your deductible status before proceeding to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket expenses.

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 220 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Columbus, KS 66725
  • CMS Rating: No CMS Rating
  • Ownership Type: Voluntary non-profit - Church
  • Hospital Type: Critical Access Hospitals