Blood test, amylase
Facility: Phillips County Hospital
Billing Code: 82150 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82150
- Insurance Median: $37
- Cash Discount Price: $35
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.71x 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 571% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 471%). 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 | $25 - $33 | 386% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $33 - $41 | 509% |
| Health Partners-All Plans | $41 | 633% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $41 | 633% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure at Phillips County Hospital, the cash price of $35.00 is lower than the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield ($25–$33) and UnitedHealthcare ($33–$41). While the facility's cash rate is slightly higher than the state of Kansas average, it remains below the negotiated amounts insurers typically pay, which can result in higher out-of-pocket costs for patients with high-deductible plans. Because commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overheads that inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40%, paying cash directly can sometimes be more economical than relying on insurance reimbursement, provided the patient has met their deductible.
Patients should verify if the hospital offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can further lower the total cost. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services are not properly covered. To ensure accuracy, consumers should request a full itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as detailed line-by-line statements help identify errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Comparing this specific charge to the Medicare benchmark of $6.48 reveals a significant markup, highlighting the importance of understanding the difference between the facility's gross charges and the actual negotiated or cash rates.