Blood test, potassium
Facility: Clara Barton Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $39
- Cash Discount Price: $30
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.19x 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 $4.76 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 819% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 719%). 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 | 210% |
| 6 Degrees Health - All Plans | $30 | 630% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $34 | 714% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $39 | 819% |
| Phcs - All Plans | $39 | 819% |
| Aetna | $39 | 819% |
| Hlth Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $40 | 840% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for potassium (CPT 84132) at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, KS, the facility's cash price of $30.00 is lower than the median negotiated rate of $39.00 paid by most major insurers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna. While the hospital's cash rate is also lower than the state average for this service, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying out-of-pocket initially more cost-effective if their insurance allows a higher negotiated rate than the cash price. It is important to note that while this specific test is a standard in-network service, patients should always verify their specific plan details, as commercial rates often include administrative overhead that can make them higher than direct cash payments.
The facility's billing practices align with standard industry benchmarks, where commercial negotiated rates typically range from 200% to 300% of the Medicare rate of $4.76 for this procedure, though the actual negotiated amount here is $39.00. Patients should be aware that hospitals often offer prompt-pay discounts for self-pay patients who settle their bill upfront, which can further reduce the final cost beyond the listed cash price. To ensure you receive the most accurate and transparent pricing, we recommend contacting the hospital directly to confirm their self-pay or prompt-pay rates before scheduling your visit, as these discounts are not automatically applied to insurance claims.