Blood test, calcium
Facility: Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $25
- Cash Discount Price: $29
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.84x 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 $5.16 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 484% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 384%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Tricare | $15 - $31 | 291% |
| Humana | $17 - $35 | 329% |
| Aetna | $18 - $38 | 349% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $18 - $37 | 349% |
| Hpk-All Plans | $18 - $37 | 349% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $19 - $38 | 368% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood calcium test at Medicine Lodge Memorial Hospital, the cash price is $29.00, which matches the facility's negotiated rate and the state of Kansas average. While commercial payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare negotiate rates ranging from $18 to $38, the cash price remains the lowest option available. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the $29.00 cash rate upfront can be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates for these plans often exceed the cash price. To maximize savings, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full before or shortly after the service.
When reviewing your final invoice, it is critical to request an itemized bill that lists specific CPT codes rather than accepting a summary total, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled charges. This test carries a Medicare benchmark of $5.16, and the facility's cash rate of $29.00 represents a 4.8x markup compared to the federal baseline, which is significantly higher than the typical fair pricing range of 120% to 150% of Medicare. If you receive a large bill after using insurance, do not pay immediately; instead, dispute any balance billing with your insurer and request a formal audit to identify unbundled services or charges for items not rendered.