Blood test, calcium
Facility: Goodland Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $46
- Cash Discount Price: $46
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.91x 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 891% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 791%). 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% |
| Wppa | $43 - $46 | 833% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $46 | 891% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for calcium (CPT 82310) at Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, Kansas, the cash median price is $46.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $51.00. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the negotiated rates for in-network payers such as Wppa and UnitedHealthcare range from $43.00 to $46.00, aligning closely with the cash price. This suggests that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying cash directly may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated amounts do not significantly exceed the cash rate. However, patients should verify their specific plan details, as some policies may still require a copayment or deductible contribution even when the negotiated rate is low.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is important to understand that commercial rates often include administrative overhead that can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40% compared to the true cost of care. In this case, the Medicare benchmark amount is $5.16, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the "true cost" of this service. The facility's cash rate of $46.00 represents a significant markup over the Medicare amount, which is typical for commercial pricing structures. If you receive a bill that appears higher than expected, you should request an itemized billing audit to identify any errors, double-billing, or unbundled codes, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies. Additionally, if you are an out-of-network patient, be aware of federal protections under the No