Blood test, vitamin D
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 82306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82306
- Insurance Median: $143
- Cash Discount Price: $113
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.83x 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 $29.6 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 483% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 383%). 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 | $128 | 432% |
| Aetna | $135 | 456% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $135 | 456% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $142 | 480% |
| First Health - All Plans | $142 | 480% |
| Cigna | $142 | 480% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $142 | 480% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for vitamin D (CPT 82306) at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, Kansas, the negotiated rates for in-network payers range from $128 to $142, while the cash price is $113. This cash rate is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rates, which aligns with the median negotiated amount of $143.00 reported for this service. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price of $113.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash price due to administrative overheads and contract structures. It is important to note that while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, patients should verify their specific plan details, as some commercial payers may have different allowed amounts that could still result in higher out-of-pocket costs compared to the cash rate.
When reviewing this bill, consumers should be aware of the potential for balance billing if they are out-of-network, though the No Surprises Act provides protections for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Even if in-network, patients should request an itemized billing audit to ensure no errors exist, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes such as double-billing or unbundled codes. Additionally, patients can often reduce their final cost by inquiring about prompt-pay discounts, which typically range from 20% to 50% off the total when paid in full upfront. Since the cash price is already the lowest listed rate, asking for a prompt-pay discount on the $113.00 charge could further lower the amount owed