Blood test, vitamin D
Facility: Norton County Hospital
Billing Code: 82306 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82306
- Insurance Median: $306
- Cash Discount Price: $348
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.34x 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 1034% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 934%). 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 | $306 | 1034% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for vitamin D at Norton County Hospital in Norton, KS, the cash price of $348 is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $306 and the state average of $306. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans might find paying cash directly more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rate often exceeds the cash price. To secure the lowest possible amount, we recommend asking the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can further reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative fees associated with insurance claims.
It is important to understand that the Medicare amount of $29.6 serves as the true cost baseline, meaning the commercial cash rate is approximately 11.3 times higher than this federal benchmark. Although the data shows a single payer, Blue Cross Blue Shield, with a low of $306, patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before relying on insurance, as paying the negotiated rate without meeting the deductible could result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying cash. If you receive a bill that appears to include charges for services not rendered or unbundled components, you have the right to request a formal itemized audit to identify errors and ensure you are not being balance billed for out-of-network ancillary services, even at an in-network facility.