Blood test, amylase
Facility: Graham County Hospital
Billing Code: 82150 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82150
- Insurance Median: $27
- Cash Discount Price: $35
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.17x 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 $6.48 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 417% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 317%). 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 | $2 - $36 | 31% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $10 | 154% |
| Medicare (plans) | $24 - $28 | 370% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $25 | 386% |
| Celtic Commercial-All Other Plans | $26 - $31 | 401% |
| Wppa (Providers Care)-All Plans | $30 - $36 | 463% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test, amylase, Graham County Hospital in Hill City, Kansas, the cash price is $35.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate and the state average. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the negotiated rates for insurance payers range from $25.00 to $36.00, with Medicaid/KanCare paying the lowest amount at $10.00. Because the cash price is identical to the median negotiated rate, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying out-of-pocket cheaper than using insurance, as the insurer would likely cover less than the full cash price. However, patients should verify their specific plan details, as some commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Celtic Commercial may negotiate higher amounts than the cash rate.
To avoid unexpected costs, consumers should request a prompt-pay discount before scheduling, as hospitals often offer 20% to 50% reductions for upfront payments that bypass insurance billing cycles. Additionally, if a patient receives an itemized bill, they should request a full line-by-line audit to identify errors, such as unbundled codes or services not rendered, since over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. It is important to compare the facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark of $6.48; while commercial rates are typically higher due to administrative overhead, the cash price here aligns closely with the facility's own median, suggesting no significant markup relative to the Medicare baseline.