Blood test, potassium
Facility: Hospital District #6 Patterson Health Center
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $23
- Cash Discount Price: $20
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.83x 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 483% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 383%). 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 | $9 - $10 | 189% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $22 - $25 | 462% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $44 | 924% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for potassium at Hospital District #6 Patterson Health Center in Anthony, KS, the facility's cash median price of $20.00 is lower than the negotiated rates of $23.00 paid by UnitedHealthcare and Providers Care (Wppa). While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the government, patients with high-deductible plans might find the cash price more affordable if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds this amount. It is important to note that while the facility is in-network for the listed payers, the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, though patients should still verify that all ancillary services, such as specific lab components, are covered under their plan to avoid unexpected charges.
To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, we recommend requesting a prompt-pay discount before scheduling your visit, as hospitals often offer significant reductions for upfront payment that bypass the administrative costs associated with insurance claims. Additionally, if you receive a summary bill, do not accept it as final; instead, request a full itemized audit to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected. When evaluating the cost, compare the facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark of $4.76; while the commercial negotiated rates are higher, they reflect the administrative load and contract dynamics of the insurance system, and fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150% of this federal baseline.