Blood test, lipase
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 83690 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83690
- Insurance Median: $28
- Cash Discount Price: $88
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.06x 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 $6.89 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 406% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 306%). 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 | $28 | 406% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 83690, representing a blood test for lipase, Lincoln County Hospital lists a cash price of $88.00, which is notably lower than the facility's gross charge of $98.00. While the facility is in-network with Blue Cross Blue Shield, the negotiated rate for this service is $28.00, a figure that aligns perfectly with the single plan's low and high limits. This suggests that for patients with this specific insurance, the negotiated amount is the primary cost driver rather than the cash price. However, if you have a high-deductible plan where your deductible has not yet been met, paying the cash price of $88.00 upfront could be more cost-effective than your insurance paying the $28.00 rate and then billing you the difference once your deductible is satisfied.
To minimize your final bill, it is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available, as these programs can offer significant fee reductions for upfront payments. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, you should request a full itemized statement before agreeing to any payment plan or finalizing a balance. This allows you to verify that no services were unbundled or double-charged. Finally, while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Lincoln, KS, with government-local ownership, always compare the allowed amount against the Medicare benchmark of $6.89 to understand the true cost basis, ensuring you are not paying a markup that exceeds fair pricing standards.