Blood test, PSA (prostate screen)

For the blood test, PSA (prostate screen) procedure at Mercy Hospital Columbus, the facility's cash price of $126.00 is significantly lower than the gross charge of $195.00 and sits below the median negotiated rate of $151.00 across 56 payers. While Medicare reimburses $18.39 for this service, commercial insurance contracts typically range from $2 to $195, with many plans paying between $134 and $149. Because commercial negotiated rates often exceed the cash price, patients with high-deductible plans may save money by paying out-of-pocket directly, provided they verify the facility's "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling. 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, patients should still request an itemized bill to ensure no unbundled charges or services not rendered are included.

This facility, a Critical Access Hospital in Columbus, KS, operates under a voluntary non-profit church ownership structure. The data reflects pricing for the 2026-06 vintage, where the cash median of $126.00 serves as a key benchmark for cost transparency. Patients should be aware that commercial rates are often inflated by administrative overhead and contract dynamics, sometimes reaching 200% to 300% of the Medicare rate, whereas fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150% of Medicare. To avoid unexpected costs, consumers should compare the facility's specific rates against state or county averages and insist on a detailed, line-by-line itemized