Blood test, basic metabolic panel
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 80048 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80048
- Insurance Median: $71
- Cash Discount Price: $58
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.39x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 839% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 739%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers-All Plans | $65 | 768% |
| Aetna | $69 | 816% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $69 | 816% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $71 | 839% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $73 | 863% |
| First Health-All Plans | $73 | 863% |
| Cigna | $73 | 863% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test service at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, Kansas, the cash price of $58.00 is lower than the facility's negotiated rates with major insurers, which range from $65.00 to $73.00. While the cash rate is also below the state average, it is important to note that commercial insurance plans often pay significantly higher negotiated amounts than the cash price. This dynamic can be advantageous for patients with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their out-of-pocket limits; in such cases, paying the lower cash price directly may result in immediate savings compared to the insurance company's allowed amount. Patients should verify their specific plan details and ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling to ensure they are utilizing the most cost-effective option available.
The facility's billing practices align with federal protections against surprise billing, as the No Surprises Act generally prevents balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities. However, patients should remain vigilant regarding itemized billing, as hospitals sometimes issue summary bills that obscure individual charges. To avoid unexpected costs, consumers should request a full, line-by-line itemized statement before paying, ensuring that no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. By comparing the facility's rates directly to the Medicare benchmark of $8.46, it becomes clear that the commercial negotiated rates reflect standard industry pricing structures rather than inflated list prices, providing a transparent baseline for understanding the true cost of care in this region.