Blood test, liver function panel
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 80076 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80076
- Insurance Median: $32
- Cash Discount Price: $243
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.92x 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 $8.17 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 392% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 292%). 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 | $32 | 392% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, liver function panel (CPT 80076) at Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln, KS, the cash price is $243.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $271.00. While the median negotiated rate for Blue Cross Blue Shield is $32.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash directly more cost-effective if their insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price. It is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and can be higher than cash prices; therefore, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling to ensure they are receiving the lowest possible rate.
This service is benchmarked against federal standards, where the Medicare amount is $8.17. The facility's cash rate of $243.00 is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark, reflecting the typical markup found in commercial pricing structures. Because over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, patients should request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary bill, which can obscure individual charges. If a balance bill arises from an out-of-network ancillary service, patients should verify the legality of the charge under the No Surprises Act before paying immediately, and should dispute any errors in writing to protect their rights and reduce potential debt.