Blood test, potassium
Facility: Republic County Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $35
- Cash Discount Price: $29
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.35x 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 735% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 635%). 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 | $32 | 672% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $34 | 714% |
| Aetna | $34 | 714% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $35 | 735% |
| First Health-All Plans | $36 | 756% |
| Midlands Choice-All Plans | $36 | 756% |
| Cigna | $36 | 756% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
This blood test for potassium at Republic County Hospital in Belleville, Kansas, has a cash price of $29.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $35.00 paid by insurance carriers. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with a voluntary non-profit ownership, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash directly more cost-effective if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. It is important to note that while the facility is in-network for seven major payers, including Rural Carriers and Aetna, the actual amount your specific plan allows could vary, so verifying your deductible status before scheduling is essential to avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
For patients concerned about billing transparency, it is recommended to request an itemized bill before paying to ensure no errors or unbundled charges exist, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. Additionally, if you receive a balance bill for services rendered at this in-network facility, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network locations. You should also inquire about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final amount owed by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, effectively bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.