Blood test, potassium
Facility: Girard Medical Center
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $24
- Cash Discount Price: $41
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.04x 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 504% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 404%). 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 - $24 | 210% |
| Aetna | $24 - $121 | 504% |
| Medicare (plans) | $24 | 504% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $24 | 504% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $24 - $66 | 504% |
| Kansas Superior Select-All Plans | $24 | 504% |
| Humana | $24 | 504% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $64 | 1345% |
| Uhhis-All Plans | $66 | 1387% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for potassium at Girard Medical Center, the cash median price is $41.00, which is notably lower than the negotiated rates paid by most insurance plans. While the facility's cash price is higher than the Medicare benchmark of $4.76, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying cash directly more affordable if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds this amount. It is important to note that the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Kansas, and while the cash price is competitive relative to the state average, commercial insurance contracts often result in higher out-of-pocket costs due to administrative fees and contract structures.
The median negotiated rate across all payers is $24.00, which aligns with the median negotiated amount reported for this service. However, individual plans show significant variation, with Blue Cross Blue Shield paying as low as $10.00 and UnitedHealthcare paying up to $66.00. To minimize costs, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling and inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. Always request an itemized bill to ensure no errors exist, as summary bills can obscure the true cost of individual services.