Blood test, glucose (blood sugar)
Facility: Norton County Hospital
Billing Code: 82947 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82947
- Insurance Median: $12
- Cash Discount Price: $50
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.05x 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 $3.93 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 305% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 205%). 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 | $12 | 305% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood glucose test at Norton County Hospital, the cash price of $50.00 is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $12.00, which represents the amount Blue Cross Blue Shield pays. While the cash price is higher than the Medicare benchmark of $3.93, it is notably lower than the state average markup relative to Medicare, which stands at 3.1 times the federal rate. Patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find paying the $50.00 cash price more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate of $12.00 often includes administrative overhead that inflates the final bill for members who have not yet met their deductible.
To minimize costs, patients should verify if the hospital offers a "prompt-pay" discount for upfront payment, which can reduce the final balance by 20% to 50%. If you are using insurance, be aware that even though this facility is in-network, the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for emergency care or out-of-network ancillary services like lab tests at in-network hospitals. If you receive a bill that exceeds the negotiated amount, request a formal itemized audit to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. Always confirm your specific plan's deductible status and allowed amount before scheduling to ensure you are aware of your financial responsibility.