Blood test, vitamin D
Facility: F W Huston Medical Center
Billing Code: 82306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82306
- Insurance Median: $222
- Cash Discount Price: $229
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.50x 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 750% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 650%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $214 | 723% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $218 | 736% |
| Humana | $226 | 764% |
| Cigna | $243 | 821% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 82306, representing a blood test for vitamin D, the gross charge at F W Huston Medical Center in Winchester, KS, is $286.00. While the facility's cash median price of $229.00 is lower than the gross charge, it is important to note that commercial insurance negotiated rates for this service range from $214 to $243 across four major payers, including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and Cigna. In this specific case, the cash price is actually higher than the negotiated rates paid by these insurers, meaning patients with high-deductible plans might find paying the cash price of $229.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in a lower allowed amount. However, patients should always verify their specific plan details and ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, as these upfront payment incentives can sometimes reduce the final bill further.
When evaluating the cost of this service, it is crucial to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's inflated gross charge. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $29.60, which serves as the objective baseline for fair pricing. Although the provided data does not include explicit state or county average figures for comparison, the significant difference between the Medicare rate and the facility's cash or negotiated rates highlights the potential for high markups in commercial billing. To ensure you are not overcharged, you should request a full itemized bill that breaks down every CPT code and unit cost, as summary bills often obscure individual charges. If you receive a balance bill from an out