Urinalysis (automated, with microscopy)
Facility: Cheyenne County Hospital
Billing Code: 81001 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 81001
- Insurance Median: $17
- Cash Discount Price: $21
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.36x 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 $3.17 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 536% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 436%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $5 - $28 | 158% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv | $10 - $20 | 315% |
| Tricare | $10 - $20 | 315% |
| Aetna | $10 - $26 | 315% |
| Choice Care - All Plans | $10 - $20 | 315% |
| First Health - All Plans | $10 - $19 | 315% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $10 | 315% |
| Firstguard - All Plans | $12 - $22 | 379% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $13 - $25 | 410% |
| Healthwave Mcaid - All Plans | $14 - $28 | 442% |
| Childrens Mercy - All Plans | $14 - $28 | 442% |
| Unicare - All Plans | $14 - $27 | 442% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid - All Other Plans | $14 - $28 | 442% |
| Integrated Hp - All Plans | $14 - $27 | 442% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $14 - $27 | 442% |
| Cpm - All Plans | $14 - $26 | 442% |
| Ppo Next - All Plans | $14 - $27 | 442% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $14 - $27 | 442% |
| Preferred Hc - All Plans | $14 - $26 | 442% |
| Providers Care-All Plans | $22 - $42 | 694% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this automated urinalysis procedure at Cheyenne County Hospital, the cash price of $21.00 is significantly lower than the average negotiated rates paid by most insurance plans, which range from $14.00 to $42.00 depending on the carrier. While the facility's cash rate matches the state median of $21.00, it is notably higher than the national average for this service, which sits at $14.00. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as many commercial payers negotiate rates that exceed the cash amount. To secure the lowest possible price, it is recommended to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill.
When using insurance, patients should be aware that the facility's negotiated rates are often inflated by administrative costs and contract structures, sometimes resulting in higher out-of-pocket expenses than paying cash outright. Although the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, it is important to verify that all components of the visit, including laboratory services, are covered under the plan's network agreements. If a patient receives an itemized bill that appears higher than expected, they should request a full line-by-line audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be corrected. Comparing the facility's rates to the Medicare benchmark of $3.17 reveals a significant markup, highlighting the importance of understanding the difference between the government's cost-based rate