Blood test, potassium
Facility: Lincoln County Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $10
- Cash Discount Price: $39
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.10x 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 $4.76 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 210% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 110%). 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 | $10 | 210% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood potassium test at Lincoln County Hospital in Lincoln, KS, the cash price of $39.00 is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $10.00, which reflects the contractually agreed amount paid by insurance carriers. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and do not represent the lowest possible cost. If you have a high-deductible plan where your deductible has not yet been met, paying the cash price of $39.00 upfront could save you money compared to the higher negotiated rate your insurance would otherwise apply, provided you can afford the out-of-pocket expense.
The facility's pricing also shows a markup relative to the federal baseline; the Medicare amount for this service is $4.76, and the cash price is approximately 8.2 times higher than that federal rate. This highlights how commercial pricing structures can differ substantially from government benchmarks. To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, it is recommended to explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling your visit, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, you should request a detailed, itemized statement to verify that all charges are accurate before making any payment.