Blood test, calcium
Facility: Clay County Medical Center
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $40
- Cash Discount Price: $42
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.75x 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 $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 775% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 675%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $39 | 756% |
| Wppa/Providrs Care- All Plans | $39 | 756% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $40 | 775% |
| Multiplan- All Plans | $40 | 775% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $40 | 775% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood calcium test at Clay County Medical Center in Clay Center, KS, the cash price is $42.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $40.00 and the cash median. This price is notably higher than the Medicare benchmark of $5.16, reflecting the typical markup found in commercial billing. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that commercial insurance rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract structures. If you have a high-deductible plan, paying the $42.00 cash price upfront might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in a higher allowed amount after your deductible is met.
To ensure you are getting the best possible rate, it is important to verify your specific plan's negotiated amount before scheduling, as in-network rates can vary significantly between payers. Although the data shows a median negotiated rate of $40.00 across five payers, individual contracts may differ. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total cost by offering immediate liquidity incentives. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, request a full itemized statement to review every line item and dispute any charges for services not rendered or unbundled codes before finalizing payment.