Blood test, potassium
Facility: Stevens County Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $16
- Cash Discount Price: $43
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.36x 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 336% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 236%). 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 | $2 - $43 | 42% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $9 - $10 | 189% |
| Humana | $16 | 336% |
| First Health - All Plans | $39 | 819% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $41 | 861% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $43 | 903% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood potassium test at Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton, Kansas, the cash price is $43.00, which matches the facility's negotiated rate for Medicaid/KanCare and is the highest amount charged among all payers listed. While the facility's cash price is identical to the Medicare-approved amount of $4.76 when adjusted for the state's wage index (a ratio of 3.4), it is significantly higher than the state average for this procedure. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the full $43.00 upfront more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates for commercial payers like Aetna and Blue Cross Blue Shield range from $9.00 to $43.00, meaning the patient could potentially owe the full cash price if their deductible has not been met.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, always request an itemized bill that breaks down the specific CPT code (84132) rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual costs. Although the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a government-local ownership structure, commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price by 20% to 40% compared to the true cost of care. Before scheduling, verify your specific plan's allowed amount and ask the billing department about any prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final balance by 20% to 50% if settled within 30 days. If you receive a bill that includes charges for services not rendered or unbundled components, dispute it in writing to avoid unnecessary debt.