Blood test, potassium
Facility: Cloud County Health Center
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $52
- Cash Discount Price: $39
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.92x 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 $4.76 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 1092% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 992%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $50 - $51 | 1050% |
| Mpi-All Plans | $52 | 1092% |
| Pponext-All Plans | $52 | 1092% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $52 | 1092% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 84132, representing a blood test for potassium, Cloud County Health Center in Concordia, KS, lists a gross charge of $55.00. This facility, a Critical Access Hospital, reports a cash median of $39.00 and a median negotiated rate of $52.00. It is important to note that while commercial payers like Aetna, Mpi-All Plans, Pponext-All Plans, and Health Partners - All Plans have negotiated rates ranging between $50.00 and $52.00, the cash price is significantly lower. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the $39.00 cash median more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate of $52.00 exceeds the cash price. Additionally, patients should verify if the facility offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final amount owed.
To ensure you are receiving fair pricing, it is recommended to compare these rates against the Medicare benchmark, which is $4.76 for this service. The facility's cash rate of $39.00 is notably higher than the Medicare amount, reflecting the costs of local wage indexes and facility operations. When reviewing your bill, always request an itemized statement rather than accepting a summary invoice, as this allows you to identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the negotiated rate and your insurance allowed amount, you may be entitled to protections under the No Surprises Act, particularly if the service was provided at an in-network facility.