Blood test, amylase
Facility: Clay County Medical Center
Billing Code: 82150 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82150
- Insurance Median: $52
- Cash Discount Price: $55
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.02x 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 $6.48 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 802% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 702%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wppa/Providrs Care- All Plans | $51 | 787% |
| Aetna | $51 | 787% |
| Multiplan- All Plans | $52 | 802% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $52 | 802% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $52 | 802% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 82150 (Blood test, amylase) at Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, KS, the facility's cash median price is $55.00, which matches the gross chargemaster rate. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, the negotiated rates for in-network payers such as Aetna and UnitedHealthcare average $52.00, slightly lower than the cash price. This pricing structure highlights a common billing dynamic where paying out-of-pocket can sometimes be more cost-effective than using insurance, particularly for patients with high deductibles or those who have not yet met their out-of-pocket maximum. Since the negotiated rates exceed the cash price by a small margin, patients with self-pay options may save money by requesting a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount directly from the billing department before scheduling the test.
When comparing this facility's pricing to broader benchmarks, the cash rate of $55.00 is consistent with the state and county averages for this service. However, it is important to note that commercial insurance negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and do not reflect the true cost of care, which is better represented by the Medicare benchmark of $6.48. Under federal protections like the No Surprises Act, patients should be aware that balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities is generally prohibited, though unexpected ancillary charges can still occur. To ensure accuracy and avoid errors, patients should request a full itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Disputing any charges in writing