CMS Price Transparency Data

Hepatitis C antibody test

Facility: Mercy Hospital Columbus

Billing Code: 86803 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 86803
  • Insurance Median: $74
  • Cash Discount Price: $66
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.19x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Hepatitis C antibody test at Mercy Hospital Columbus is $74. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $66. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $14.27, this hospital’s rate is 5.19x the Medicare baseline. Located in 220 N Pennsylvania Avenue, Columbus, KS.
Cash / Self-Pay
$66

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$74

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$14.27

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $14.27 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $66 (463%)
Insurance Median: $74 (519%)
Cash: $66 (463% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $74 (519% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $14.27 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 519% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 419%). 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
Medicaid / KanCare $13 - $74 91%
Humana $13 - $97 91%
UnitedHealthcare $13 - $85 91%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $13 - $74 91%
Ambetter / Centene $14 - $74 98%
Medicare (plans) $15 - $77 105%
Health Systems Inc Contracted [320174] $44 308%
Insurance System Inc Contracted [320465] $44 308%
Administrative Payor Contracted [320005] $46 322%
Tricare $74 519%
Pace Of The Ozarks Contracted [320518] $74 519%
Provider Partners Health Plans Contracted [320450] $74 519%
Cherokee Nation Health Serv Contracted [320066] $74 519%
Centurion Of Missouri [20459] $74 519%
Aetna $74 - $92 519%
Qual Choice Contracted [320325] $74 519%
Home State Health Plan Contracted [320187] $74 519%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice Contracted [320432] $74 519%
Indian Health Service Contracted [320198] $74 519%
Globalhealth Contracted [320145] $74 519%
Medical Associates Health Contracted [320444] $74 519%
Novasys Contracted [320285] $74 519%
Mercy Hospice Okc [20252] $74 519%
Cigna $74 519%
Mercy Mgd Behavioral Health Contracted [320259] $74 519%
Halo Hcr Inc Hospice [20432] $74 519%
Cross Timbers Hospice [20098] $74 519%
Elara Caring Aspire Hospice [20433] $74 519%
Kindful Hospice [20434] $74 519%
Dept Of Veteran Affairs Contracted [320106] $74 519%
Kindful Hospice Contracted [320434] $74 519%
Healthscope Contracted [320182] $79 554%
Workers Comp [20426] $82 - $87 575%
United Medical Resources Contracted [320454] $85 - $97 596%
Medica Contracted [320239] $91 638%
Federal Medical Center Contracted [320127] $92 645%
Usa Managed Care Org Contracted [320429] $92 645%
Preferred Health Plan Contracted [320522] $92 645%
Healthlink Contracted [320179] $92 - $97 645%
American Healthcare Alliance Contracted [320020] $92 645%
Mercy Benefit Admin Contracted [320251] $92 - $97 645%
First Health Contracted [320128] $92 645%
Auxiant Contracted [320462] $97 680%
Benefit Management Contracted [320052] $97 680%
90 Degree Benefits Contracted [320436] $97 680%
Yuzu Health Contracted [320521] $97 680%
Aither Health Contracted [320449] $97 680%
Edison Health Solutions Contracted [320502] $97 680%
Show-Me Health Administrators Contracted [320483] $97 680%
Private Health Care Systems Contracted [320320] $97 680%
Imagine 360 Contracted [320494] $97 680%
Ppo Plus Contracted [320310] $97 680%
Point C Contracted [320238] $97 680%
Ebms Contracted [320493] $97 680%
Reflect Health Contracted [320492] $97 680%

Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary

If you are paying cash for this Hepatitis C antibody test, the most important thing to know is that the facility's self-pay cash rate of $66 is significantly lower than the facility's gross chargemaster price of $102, offering a clear discount for upfront payment. While commercial insurance plans typically negotiate rates that range from $13 to $97 depending on the carrier, the cash price of $66 may actually be the most cost-effective option for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, as it bypasses the administrative overhead and negotiated ceilings that often result in higher out-of-pocket costs. Patients should explicitly ask the hospital during registration for a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" classification to ensure they receive this lower rate and avoid having the claim submitted to an insurer, which could trigger a higher negotiated payment rather than the cash discount.

The broader pricing context shows that this facility is a Voluntary non-profit - Church owned Critical Access Hospital in Columbus, KS, where the cash rate of $66 is notably lower than the state of Kansas average of $74. Although the facility's gross charges of $102 are substantially higher than both the cash and state averages, the median negotiated rate of $74 reflects the typical range seen across various payers, with some plans paying as low as $13 and others up to $97. It is crucial to note that the Medicare amount for this service is $14.27, which serves as a federal benchmark; commercial rates are often higher than this baseline due to administrative structures, but the cash price of $66 remains a transparent, fixed amount that does not fluctuate based on insurance status or network tier

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