Blood test, average blood sugar (A1c)
Facility: Stevens County Hospital
Billing Code: 83036 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83036
- Insurance Median: $36
- Cash Discount Price: $85
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.71x 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 371% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 271%). 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 | $8 - $85 | 82% |
| Humana | $31 | 319% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $34 - $36 | 350% |
| First Health - All Plans | $76 | 783% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $81 | 834% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $85 | 875% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood sugar (A1c) test at Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton, Kansas, the cash price is $85.00, which matches the facility's maximum negotiated rate for Aetna and the Medicare-approved amount of $9.71. While the median amount paid by insurance plans is $54.00, patients should be aware that paying cash upfront often results in a lower total cost than relying on insurance, especially if their plan has a high deductible or if the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. This facility, a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, offers a prompt-pay discount for upfront payments, which can further reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative fees and claim processing delays.
When comparing pricing, the facility's cash rate of $85.00 is significantly higher than the state average for this service, though it aligns with the highest end of the payer range, with some plans paying as low as $8.00 and others up to $85.00. The median negotiated rate across all payers is $36.00, indicating that many commercial plans pay substantially less than the cash price. To ensure you receive the best possible rate, it is recommended to contact the hospital directly to confirm "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these rates are often lower than what insurance will allow. Additionally, since the facility is in-network for most major payers, balance billing is unlikely for the primary service, but patients should still request an itemized bill to verify all charges and avoid unexpected fees.