CMS Price Transparency Data

Breathing treatment (nebulizer)

Facility: Mercy Hospital Columbus

Billing Code: 94640 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 94640
  • Insurance Median: $95
  • Cash Discount Price: $69
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.42x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Breathing treatment (nebulizer) at Mercy Hospital Columbus is $95. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $69. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $223.72, this hospital’s rate is 0.42x the Medicare baseline. Located in 220 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Columbus, KS.
Cash / Self-Pay
$69

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$95

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$223.72

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $223.72 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $69 (31%)
Insurance Median: $95 (42%)
Cash: $69 (31% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $95 (42% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $223.72 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.

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
Centivo Contracted [320505] $1 N/A
Humana $7 - $101 3%
Medicaid / KanCare $7 - $191 3%
Insurance System Inc Contracted [320465] $46 21%
Health Systems Inc Contracted [320174] $46 21%
Administrative Payor Contracted [320005] $48 21%
Tricare $77 34%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432] $77 34%
UnitedHealthcare $77 - $173 34%
Globalhealth Contracted [320145] $77 34%
Mercy Mgd Behavioral Health Contracted [320259] $77 34%
Medical Associates Health Contracted [320444] $77 34%
Centurion Of Missouri [20459] $77 34%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432] $77 34%
Novasys Contracted [320285] $77 34%
Indian Health Service Contracted [320198] $77 34%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $77 - $331 34%
Kindful Hospice [20434] $77 34%
Medicare (plans) $77 - $190 34%
Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518] $77 34%
Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450] $77 34%
Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433] $77 34%
Qual Choice Contracted [320325] $77 34%
Aetna $77 - $95 34%
Cross Timbers Hospice [20098] $77 34%
Home State Health Plan Contracted [320187] $77 34%
Mercy Hospice Okc [20252] $77 34%
Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434] $77 34%
Cigna $77 34%
Ambetter / Centene $77 34%
Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066] $77 34%
Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106] $77 34%
Healthscope Contracted [320182] $82 37%
Workers Comp [20426] $85 - $90 38%
United Medical Resources Contracted [320454] $88 - $101 39%
Preferred Health Plan Contracted [320522] $95 42%
Usa Managed Care Org Contracted [320429] $95 42%
Federal Medical Center Contracted [320127] $95 42%
Healthlink Contracted [320179] $95 - $101 42%
Medica Contracted [320239] $95 42%
Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251] $95 - $101 42%
American Healthcare Alliance Contracted [320020] $95 42%
First Health Contracted [320128] $95 42%
Benefit Management Contracted [320052] $101 45%
Private Health Care Systems Contracted [320320] $101 45%
Edison Health Solutions Contracted [320502] $101 45%
Ebms Contracted [320493] $101 45%
Ppo Plus Contracted [320310] $101 45%
Point C Contracted [320238] $101 45%
Yuzu Health Contracted [320521] $101 45%
Imagine 360 Contracted [320494] $101 45%
Auxiant Contracted [320462] $101 45%
Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483] $101 45%
Aither Health Contracted [320449] $101 45%
90 Degree Benefits Contracted [320436] $101 45%
Reflect Health Contracted [320492] $101 45%

Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary

For this breathing treatment (nebulizer) service at Mercy Hospital Columbus, the facility's cash price of $69.00 is significantly lower than the state average of $106.00 and the Medicare benchmark of $223.72. While many commercial payers negotiate rates between $77.00 and $101.00, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price, meaning patients with high-deductible plans or those who have met their out-of-pocket limits may save money by paying cash directly. It is important to note that while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in a Voluntary non-profit - Church ownership structure, the negotiated rates for in-network plans do not always represent the lowest possible cost, as administrative overhead and contract dynamics can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40% compared to direct payment.

Patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can bypass the costly insurance billing cycle and administrative labor that inflates commercial rates. Although the data shows a median negotiated rate of $95.00, which is higher than the cash price, the No Surprises Act provides federal protections against balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, ensuring that unexpected charges for emergency or non-emergency services are not passed to the patient. To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, always request a full itemized CPT-coded bill rather than a summary invoice, and verify your deductible status before using insurance to avoid paying higher negotiated rates when you have not yet met your plan's coverage threshold.

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