Blood test, hemoglobin
Facility: F W Huston Medical Center
Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 85018
- Insurance Median: $24
- Cash Discount Price: $25
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.13x 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 $2.37 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 1013% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 913%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $10 | 422% |
| Aetna | $23 | 970% |
| Humana | $24 | 1013% |
| Cigna | $26 | 1097% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for hemoglobin (CPT code 85018) at F W Huston Medical Center in Winchester, KS, the facility's cash price of $25.00 is notably higher than the state average, which sits at $23.00. While the facility offers a median negotiated rate of $24.00 for in-network payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Humana, and Cigna, this amount remains above the cash price. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $25.00 upfront may be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash rate. Patients should verify their specific plan details and ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed.
When evaluating costs, it is important to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the facility's gross charge. The Medicare amount for this service is $2.37, meaning the cash price represents a significant markup over the federal baseline. Although the facility is a Voluntary non-profit Critical Access Hospital, the cash rate is still 10.1% higher than the Medicare amount. To ensure you are receiving fair pricing, request a detailed, itemized bill to confirm that no services were unbundled or double-billed, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. Always check your deductible status before scheduling, as paying the negotiated rate without meeting your deductible could result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying cash.