Blood test, calcium
Facility: Community Memorial Healthcare, Inc.
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $19
- Cash Discount Price: $36
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.68x 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 368% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 268%). 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 | $11 | 213% |
| Aetna | $14 - $31 | 271% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $17 - $23 | 329% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood calcium test at Community Memorial Healthcare in Marysville, Kansas, the cash price is $36.00, which matches the facility's median paid amount. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare range from $14 to $31, these amounts are often higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and claim processing fees. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the $36.00 cash price directly, as the insurance negotiated rates can sometimes exceed the out-of-pocket cost of paying in full. It is always recommended to ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can significantly reduce the final bill.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is important to understand that commercial rates are frequently compared against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's inflated list price. In this case, the Medicare amount for this service is $5.16, meaning the cash price represents a markup of 3.7 times the federal rate. Since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, such as unbundled codes or services not rendered, you should request a detailed, itemized statement before paying. If you receive a summary bill or an unexpected balance bill, you have the right to dispute the charges in writing to avoid paying for services that were never provided or that violate federal protections against surprise billing.