Blood test, calcium
Facility: Girard Medical Center
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $25
- Cash Discount Price: $43
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.84x 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 484% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 384%). 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 | $11 - $25 | 213% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $25 - $67 | 484% |
| Humana | $25 | 484% |
| Kansas Superior Select-All Plans | $25 | 484% |
| Medicare (plans) | $25 | 484% |
| Aetna | $25 - $124 | 484% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $25 | 484% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $66 | 1279% |
| Uhhis-All Plans | $67 | 1298% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood calcium test at Girard Medical Center in Girard, Kansas, the facility's cash median price of $43.00 is notably higher than the state average of $25.00, though it aligns closely with the county average for this service. While commercial insurance plans like Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates ranging from $11 to $124 depending on the specific plan, patients with high-deductible plans might find the cash price more affordable if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds $43.00. It is important to note that cash payments can sometimes be cheaper for those without substantial insurance coverage, but patients should always verify if the hospital offers self-pay or prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% when paid in full upfront.
The facility's billing practices should be evaluated against the Medicare benchmark of $5.16, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. The gross charge of $71.00 represents a significant markup over the Medicare rate, a common practice where commercial rates can average 200% to 300% of Medicare amounts. If you receive an itemized bill, ensure you are not paying for services not rendered or double-billed components, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. Furthermore, while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, patients should carefully review any consent forms to avoid inadvertently agreeing to pay the difference between the provider's full charge and the insurance allowed amount.