Blood test, vitamin B12
Facility: Norton County Hospital
Billing Code: 82607 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82607
- Insurance Median: $80
- Cash Discount Price: $104
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.31x 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 $15.08 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 531% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 431%). 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 | $80 | 531% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for vitamin B12 at Norton County Hospital in Norton, KS, the cash price is $104.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $149.00. While the median negotiated rate for Blue Cross Blue Shield is $80.00, patients with high-deductible plans might find the cash price more affordable if their insurance allowed amount exceeds $104.00. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and can be higher than cash prices, so verifying your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling is essential to avoid unexpected costs.
This service is provided by a Critical Access Hospital, a facility type often associated with streamlined billing practices. Although the data does not include specific county or state average comparisons for this procedure, patients should be aware of the principles of balance billing and itemized audits. If you receive a bill that seems higher than the cash or negotiated rates, you have the right to request a detailed, line-by-line itemized statement to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered. Additionally, if you are out-of-network, the No Surprises Act may protect you from balance billing for emergency care or non-emergency services at in-network facilities, so you should never feel pressured to sign away these rights without fully understanding the terms.