Blood test, basic metabolic panel
Facility: Greeley County Health Services
Billing Code: 80048 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80048
- Insurance Median: $8
- Cash Discount Price: $35
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.95x 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 $8.46 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.
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 | $8 | 95% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $8 | 95% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the basic metabolic panel at Greeley County Health Services in Tribune, Kansas, the cash median price is $35.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $50.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates can sometimes exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures. In this case, the median negotiated rate for in-network payers is $8.00, which is lower than the cash price, but this rate is still higher than the Medicare benchmark of $8.46. When comparing these figures to the broader context, the cash price of $35.00 represents a 413% markup relative to the Medicare rate, illustrating how commercial contracts can inflate costs compared to the federal baseline used for cost-basis standards.
Patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying the cash price of $35.00 upfront is more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially if the negotiated rate exceeds their out-of-pocket maximum or if they have not yet met their deductible. It is important to verify your specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as assuming that being in-network guarantees the lowest possible price can lead to unexpected costs. Additionally, you should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if you settle the account in full within a short window. If you receive a bill that includes charges not rendered or unbundled codes, request a formal itemized audit to ensure accuracy, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can