Blood test, hemoglobin
Facility: Minneola District Hospital
Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 85018
- Insurance Median: $16
- Cash Discount Price: $13
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.75x 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 $2.37 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 675% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 575%). 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 | 422% |
| Humana | $12 | 506% |
| Va Community Care Program-All Plans | $12 | 506% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $12 - $18 | 506% |
| Corporate Plan Management-All Plans | $15 | 633% |
| Providrs Care Network-All Plans | $15 | 633% |
| Preferred Health Care (Coventry)-All Other Plans | $16 | 675% |
| Triwest-All Plans | $16 | 675% |
| Aetna | $17 - $18 | 717% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas-All Plans | $17 | 717% |
| Phc (Coventry) Leased Network | $17 | 717% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $18 | 759% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test at Minneola District Hospital, the cash price of $13.00 is lower than the facility's negotiated rates, which range from $10 to $18 depending on your insurance plan. While the cash price is the lowest amount listed, it is important to note that commercial insurance plans often pay negotiated rates that exceed the cash price, meaning paying out-of-pocket might save you money if your deductible is high. The facility, a Critical Access Hospital in Kansas, offers a cash rate of $13.00, which is significantly lower than the state average for this service. To ensure you are getting the best possible price, we recommend asking the hospital directly about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the cost if you settle the bill upfront.
When using insurance, be aware that the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities, preventing providers from charging the difference between their full list price and your insurance's allowed amount. However, if you receive care from an out-of-network provider or for services not covered by federal protections, you may face unexpected bills; in such cases, do not pay immediately without first disputing the charge with your insurer or requesting a No Surprises Act audit. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, always request a full, itemized statement showing specific CPT codes before agreeing to pay, as summary bills may hide unbundled charges or services that were never rendered.