Blood test, basic metabolic panel
Facility: Girard Medical Center
Billing Code: 80048 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80048
- Insurance Median: $50
- Cash Discount Price: $85
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.91x 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 $8.46 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 591% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 491%). 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 | $20 - $50 | 236% |
| Aetna | $50 - $248 | 591% |
| Kansas Superior Select-All Plans | $50 | 591% |
| Humana | $50 | 591% |
| Medicare (plans) | $50 | 591% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $50 - $135 | 591% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $50 | 591% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $131 | 1548% |
| Uhhis-All Plans | $135 | 1596% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 80048 (Blood test, basic metabolic panel) at Girard Medical Center in Girard, KS, the facility's cash median price is $85.00, while the median negotiated rate across nine payers is $50.00. This service is provided by a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District. For patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $85.00 upfront may be more cost-effective than using insurance, as the negotiated rates of $50.00 to $135.00 often exceed the cash price. To maximize savings, patients should explicitly request "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% by bypassing administrative claim processing fees.
When evaluating this charge, it is important to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's gross list price. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $8.46, and the facility's negotiated rate of $50.00 represents a significant markup above this federal baseline. While the data does not provide specific state or county average figures for comparison, the facility's ownership by a Hospital District and its status as a Critical Access Hospital may influence pricing structures. Consumers should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before visiting, as in-network contracts vary widely, and ensure they receive an itemized bill to avoid errors or unbundled charges that could inflate the total cost.