Blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel)
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 80061 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80061
- Insurance Median: $101
- Cash Discount Price: $83
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.54x 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 $13.39 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 754% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 654%). 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 | $94 | 702% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $99 | 739% |
| Aetna | $99 | 739% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $101 | 754% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $104 | 777% |
| Cigna | $104 | 777% |
| First Health-All Plans | $104 | 777% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel) procedure at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, KS, the facility's negotiated rates for major payers range from $94 to $104, while the cash median price is $83.00. This cash rate is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rates and represents a potential savings for patients with high-deductible plans who may not yet have met their out-of-pocket maximums. It is important to note that while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership structure, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract dynamics.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against the Medicare rate of $13.39, which serves as the federal baseline for healthcare costs. Although the data does not provide specific county or state average figures for comparison, the significant difference between the Medicare rate and the facility's cash and negotiated rates highlights the substantial markup inherent in commercial billing. To maximize savings, patients should proactively request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount prior to check-in, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing insurance claims processing. Additionally, if a balance bill arises from out-of-network ancillary services, patients should review their rights under the No Surprises Act before agreeing to pay the difference.