Blood test, calcium
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $11
- Cash Discount Price: $21
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.13x 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 $5.16 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 213% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 113%). 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 | $11 | 213% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood calcium test at Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln, KS, the cash price is $21.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $11.00 and the state average of $24.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash directly more affordable if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. It is important to note that commercial rates often include administrative overhead that can inflate the baseline price, so comparing the cash option to the Medicare benchmark of $5.16 reveals a significant difference in how the service is priced for different payment methods.
To ensure you receive the most accurate billing, always request an itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices can obscure individual charges or unbundled codes. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount, you may be eligible for protections under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. Additionally, since hospitals often offer prompt-pay discounts for upfront payment, you should contact the hospital directly to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay rates before scheduling your visit to avoid unexpected costs.