Blood test, average blood sugar (A1c)
Facility: Kiowa District Hospital
Billing Code: 83036 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83036
- Insurance Median: $68
- Cash Discount Price: $58
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.00x 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 $9.71 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 700% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 600%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Healthchoice-All Plans | $15 | 154% |
| Tricare | $28 | 288% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $36 | 371% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $58 - $72 | 597% |
| Health Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $63 | 649% |
| Humana | $65 | 669% |
| Gbs Insurance - All Plans | $68 | 700% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $68 | 700% |
| Medicare (plans) | $68 | 700% |
| Aetna | $68 | 700% |
| Triwest-All Plans | $68 | 700% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $72 | 742% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $108 | 1112% |
| Liberty Healthshare-All Plans | $116 | 1195% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood sugar test (A1c) at Kiowa District Hospital, the cash price of $58.00 is the lowest amount a patient can pay directly. This cash rate is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rates, which average $68.00 across 14 payers, including Tricare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and UnitedHealthcare. Because commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead and markup, the cash price can sometimes be cheaper for patients with high-deductible plans if their insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash rate. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting a deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying cash. Additionally, the facility offers a cash median of $58.00, which is lower than the state average for this procedure, making it a cost-effective option for self-pay patients.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, it is important to request an itemized bill that breaks down the exact CPT code and unit costs, rather than accepting a summary invoice that may obscure individual charges. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Kiowa, KS, with a government ownership structure, patients should ask specifically about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Furthermore, comparing the facility's rates to the Medicare benchmark of $9.71 reveals that the negotiated rates are significantly higher, highlighting the value of the cash option. If you receive a large bill after using insurance, do not pay immediately; instead, request a formal written audit to identify any errors, unbund