Blood test, potassium
Facility: Sheridan County Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $24
- Cash Discount Price: $40
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.04x 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 504% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 404%). 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 | $14 | 294% |
| Celtic Insurance | $24 | 504% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $38 | 798% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for potassium at Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, KS, the cash price is $40.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $24.00 and the state average. While commercial payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Celtic Insurance, and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates of $14.00, $24.00, and $38.00 respectively, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the full cash price of $40.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially if the insurer's allowed amount exceeds the cash rate. Because this facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can significantly lower the final cost.
The Medicare benchmark for this service is $4.76, indicating that the cash price of $40.00 represents a substantial markup compared to the federal baseline used to evaluate hospital pricing. This disparity highlights the importance of understanding that commercial rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that go beyond the true cost of care. If you receive a bill from an out-of-network provider or encounter unexpected charges, you have the right to request an itemized billing audit to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. Furthermore, under the No Surprises Act, you are protected from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, so any surprise bill should be disputed with your insurer rather than paid immediately.