Blood test, potassium
Facility: Community Memorial Healthcare, Inc.
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $16
- Cash Discount Price: $29
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.36x 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 336% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 236%). 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 | $10 | 210% |
| Aetna | $12 - $23 | 252% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $15 - $18 | 315% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for potassium at Community Memorial Healthcare, Inc. in Marysville, KS, the cash price is $29.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $16.00 and the cash median of $29.00. While commercial payers like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates ranging from $12 to $23, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the full cash price of $29.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's allowed amount could exceed the cash rate. It is important to note that the facility's cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $4.76, illustrating how commercial rates often include substantial markups beyond the federal cost baseline.
To ensure you are not overcharged, always request an itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices can hide unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the chargemaster and your insurance payment, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from such unexpected charges for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Additionally, ask the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final amount owed by 20% to 50% if you settle the bill upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing.