Blood test, vitamin D
Facility: Sheridan County Hospital
Billing Code: 82306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82306
- Insurance Median: $301
- Cash Discount Price: $373
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.17x 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 $29.6 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 1017% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 917%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Insurance | $226 | 764% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $301 | 1017% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $354 | 1196% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the vitamin D blood test (CPT 82306) at Sheridan County Hospital in Hoxie, KS, the cash price is $373.00, which matches the facility's median cash rate. This amount is 10.2% higher than the Medicare benchmark of $29.60, reflecting the standard markup for commercial services. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the negotiated rates vary by insurer: Celtic Insurance covers $226, Blue Cross Blue Shield covers $301, and UnitedHealthcare covers $354. Because the cash price of $373.00 is lower than the negotiated rates for Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare, patients with high-deductible plans may save money by paying cash upfront rather than using insurance, provided they can afford the full amount.
To maximize savings, patients should contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full within 30 days. These discounts bypass the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing and are legally required to be offered uniformly. If you have insurance, ensure you request a waiver of insurance submission before check-in to prevent the hospital from submitting a claim that would void the cash discount. Additionally, since the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, you can confidently dispute any unexpected bills without fear of credit damage, but always demand a full itemized CPT-coded statement before agreeing to pay.