Blood test, hemoglobin
Facility: Girard Medical Center
Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 85018
- Insurance Median: $14
- Cash Discount Price: $24
- 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 $2.37 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 | $10 - $14 | 422% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $14 - $38 | 591% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $14 | 591% |
| Medicare (plans) | $14 | 591% |
| Aetna | $14 - $70 | 591% |
| Kansas Superior Select-All Plans | $14 | 591% |
| Humana | $14 | 591% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $37 | 1561% |
| Uhhis-All Plans | $38 | 1603% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for hemoglobin (CPT 85018) at Girard Medical Center in Girard, Kansas, the facility's cash median rate is $24.00, which is higher than the state average of $2.37 for Medicare-approved amounts. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and UnitedHealthcare range from $10 to $38, these amounts are often inflated by administrative overhead and contract structures that can exceed the true cost of care. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $24.00 upfront might be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates paid by insurers can sometimes be significantly higher than the cash price. Additionally, patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full before or shortly after the service.
When reviewing your bill, avoid comparing the hospital's gross charges to your savings, as these inflated list prices are not a valid benchmark for fair pricing. Instead, use the Medicare rate of $2.37 as the objective baseline to evaluate the facility's markup, which is a scientifically validated cost standard used by the federal government. If you receive a bill, request a detailed, itemized statement to identify any errors, double-billing, or services that were not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. Be cautious of summary bills that obscure individual costs, and if you are concerned about unexpected charges, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for out