Blood test, potassium
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $64
- Cash Discount Price: $51
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 13.45x 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 1345% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1245%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers - All Plans | $57 | 1197% |
| Aetna | $61 | 1282% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $61 | 1282% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $64 | 1345% |
| Cigna | $64 | 1345% |
| First Health - All Plans | $64 | 1345% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $64 | 1345% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for potassium (CPT 84132) at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, KS, the facility's cash median price is $51.00, which is lower than the state average of $64.00. While the hospital's negotiated rates with major insurers like Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare are set at $64.00, patients with high-deductible plans might find paying the cash price of $51.00 more cost-effective if their insurance allowed amount exceeds this figure. It is important to note that this facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, and patients should explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling to ensure they are not billed the full negotiated rate.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $4.76, which serves as the objective baseline for evaluating pricing markups. The facility's cash price of $51.00 represents a significant markup over the Medicare rate, a common practice in commercial billing where administrative costs and profit margins are factored in. Consumers should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network emergency services at in-network facilities, it does not automatically eliminate all potential charges for ancillary services. To avoid unexpected costs, patients should request a full itemized bill before paying and verify that all services listed were actually rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal audit.