Blood test, potassium
Facility: Mercy Hospital Columbus
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $61
- Cash Discount Price: $51
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 12.82x 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 1282% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1182%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $4 - $77 | 84% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $4 - $59 | 84% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4 - $67 | 84% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4 - $59 | 84% |
| Medicare (plans) | $5 - $61 | 105% |
| Health Systems Inc Contracted [320174] | $32 - $35 | 672% |
| Insurance System Inc Contracted [320465] | $32 - $35 | 672% |
| Administrative Payor Contracted [320005] | $34 - $36 | 714% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Aetna | $54 - $73 | 1134% |
| Medical Associates Health Contracted [320444] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Cigna | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Indian Health Service Contracted [320198] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Novasys Contracted [320285] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Qual Choice Contracted [320325] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Home State Health Plan Contracted [320187] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Centurion Of Missouri [20459] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Kindful Hospice [20434] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Globalhealth Contracted [320145] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Mercy Mgd Behavioral Health Contracted [320259] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Mercy Hospice Okc [20252] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Cross Timbers Hospice [20098] | $54 - $59 | 1134% |
| Tricare | $55 - $59 | 1155% |
| Healthscope Contracted [320182] | $58 - $62 | 1218% |
| Workers Comp [20426] | $60 - $69 | 1261% |
| United Medical Resources Contracted [320454] | $62 - $77 | 1303% |
| Medica Contracted [320239] | $67 - $73 | 1408% |
| Healthlink Contracted [320179] | $68 - $77 | 1429% |
| Preferred Health Plan Contracted [320522] | $68 - $73 | 1429% |
| First Health Contracted [320128] | $68 - $73 | 1429% |
| American Healthcare Alliance Contracted [320020] | $68 - $73 | 1429% |
| Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251] | $68 - $77 | 1429% |
| Usa Managed Care Org Contracted [320429] | $68 - $73 | 1429% |
| Federal Medical Center Contracted [320127] | $68 - $73 | 1429% |
| Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| Yuzu Health Contracted [320521] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| Auxiant Contracted [320462] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| Ebms Contracted [320493] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| Point C Contracted [320238] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| Ppo Plus Contracted [320310] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| Reflect Health Contracted [320492] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| Benefit Management Contracted [320052] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| Imagine 360 Contracted [320494] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| Private Health Care Systems Contracted [320320] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| Edison Health Solutions Contracted [320502] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| Aither Health Contracted [320449] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
| 90 Degree Benefits Contracted [320436] | $71 - $77 | 1492% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, potassium procedure (CPT 84132), Mercy Hospital Columbus lists a cash price of $51.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $78.00. While many commercial payers negotiate rates ranging from $32 to $77, the cash price can be a more cost-effective option for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash amount. To secure the lowest possible rate, patients should contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which may further reduce the bill before insurance processing begins.
This facility's cash rate of $51.00 is significantly lower than the state average for this service, which is $61.00, and also below the Medicare benchmark of $4.76 when adjusted for the facility's specific cost structure. It is important to note that while Medicare rates serve as a baseline for fair pricing, commercial negotiated rates can vary widely; for instance, some contracted payers have negotiated rates as high as $77.00. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as assuming that an in-network rate is the lowest possible price can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs if the facility's contract with their insurer is less favorable than the cash price.