Blood test, amylase
Facility: Norton County Hospital
Billing Code: 82150 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82150
- Insurance Median: $35
- Cash Discount Price: $50
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.40x 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 $6.48 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 540% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 440%). 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 | $35 | 540% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure at Norton County Hospital, the cash price of $50.00 is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $35.00 and the state average of $35.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Norton, KS, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash upfront more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rate often exceeds the cash price. To maximize savings, patients should explicitly request a "self-pay" classification and inquire about "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%.
When using insurance, the allowed amount for this service is $35.00, which aligns with the facility's negotiated rate but remains significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $6.48. This indicates a substantial markup relative to the federal government's cost-based reimbursement standard. If you are out-of-network or encounter unexpected charges, the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Always request a detailed, itemized bill to verify that no services were unbundled or incorrectly charged, and dispute any discrepancies in writing to ensure you are only paying for what was actually rendered.