Blood test, cholesterol (lipid panel)
Facility: Goodland Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 80061 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80061
- Insurance Median: $95
- Cash Discount Price: $95
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.09x 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 $13.39 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 709% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 609%). 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 | $43 | 321% |
| Wppa | $89 - $94 | 665% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $94 | 702% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 80061, representing a blood test for cholesterol (lipid panel), Goodland Regional Medical Center in Goodland, KS, lists a cash median price of $95.00. This cash rate is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rates, which range from $89 to $94 for Wppa and $94 for UnitedHealthcare, and $43 for Blue Cross Blue Shield. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, patients should be aware that cash-pay options can sometimes be more cost-effective than insurance claims, particularly for those with high-deductible plans where the insurer's negotiated rate might exceed the cash price. It is advisable to contact the hospital directly to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can further reduce the final amount owed.
When evaluating the cost of this service, it is important to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's gross charges. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $13.39, and the facility's cash rate of $95.00 represents a 7.1% increase relative to this federal baseline. Since Medicare rates are calculated based on actual provider costs plus a small margin, they serve as a scientifically validated standard for determining fair pricing. Commercial negotiated rates often include additional administrative costs and contract markups, so patients should focus on the difference between the cash price and the Medicare amount to understand the true cost structure. If you receive an itemized bill, ensure it breaks down the specific CPT codes to avoid errors or unbundled charges that could inflate the total.