Blood test, potassium
Facility: Fredonia Regional Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $27
- Cash Discount Price: $30
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.67x 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 $4.76 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 567% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 467%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $1 - $27 | 21% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $10 - $15 | 210% |
| Aetna | $15 - $27 | 315% |
| Veterans Programs - All Plans | $15 | 315% |
| Meritain-All Plans | $27 | 567% |
| Reserve National-All Plans | $27 | 567% |
| Cigna | $27 | 567% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for potassium at Fredonia Regional Hospital in Fredonia, Kansas, the cash price is $30.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $27.00 and the cash median. This service is billed under CPT code 84132 and is provided by a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government. While the facility's cash rate aligns with its negotiated rates, it is important to note that commercial insurance plans, such as UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, and Aetna, have negotiated rates that can vary significantly based on the specific plan. Patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying the cash price of $30.00 upfront is more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the administrative overhead and potential deductibles associated with insurance claims can sometimes exceed the direct cash cost.
To ensure you receive the best possible rate, it is recommended to explicitly request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount before scheduling your visit, as these discounts can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% when paid in full within a short window. Additionally, since this facility is in-network for several major payers, you should verify your specific plan's allowed amount to avoid any balance billing, though the No Surprises Act generally protects patients from unexpected out-of-network charges at in-network facilities. If you receive an itemized bill, review it carefully for any unbundled codes or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written audit dispute sent to the billing supervisor.