Blood test, calcium
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $37
- Cash Discount Price: $30
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.17x 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 717% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 617%). 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 | $34 | 659% |
| Aetna | $36 | 698% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $36 | 698% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $37 | 717% |
| Cigna | $38 | 736% |
| First Health-All Plans | $38 | 736% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $38 | 736% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood calcium test at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, KS, the cash price of $30.00 is lower than the facility's negotiated rates of $36.00 to $38.00 across seven major payers, including Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash amount. It is important to note that the cash price of $30.00 is significantly lower than the Medicare benchmark of $5.16, which serves as the federal baseline for cost; however, commercial rates are typically higher due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients should always verify if the facility offers "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill.
When reviewing your statement, ensure you request a full itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual charges, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the provider's rate and your insurance allowed amount, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from these unexpected costs for out-of-network services at in-network facilities. To avoid disputes, always check your deductible status before using insurance, as paying a high negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can lead to significant out-of-pocket expenses. For this specific service, the median negotiated rate of $37.00 is higher than the cash price, reinforcing that direct payment may