Blood test, basic metabolic panel
Facility: Amberwell Atchison Association
Billing Code: 80048 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80048
- Insurance Median: $43
- Cash Discount Price: $84
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.08x 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 508% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 408%). 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 | $19 - $20 | 225% |
| Triwest - All Plans | $28 | 331% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $28 - $151 | 331% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $28 | 331% |
| Humana | $28 - $38 | 331% |
| Superior Select Mcr Adv - All Plans | $28 | 331% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $43 | 508% |
| Aetna | $46 | 544% |
| Cigna | $46 | 544% |
| Oscar - All Plans | $63 | 745% |
| Centrus Health Direct - All Plans | $63 | 745% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $66 | 780% |
| Wppa Providrs Care - All Plans | $76 | 898% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 80048, representing a basic metabolic panel at Amberwell Atchison Association in Atchison, KS, the cash price is $84.00, which matches the facility's cash median. This amount is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $8.46, illustrating the substantial markup common in commercial healthcare pricing. While the facility's negotiated rates with insurance payers range from $19 to $151, with a median negotiated payment of $28.00, patients should note that these insurance rates often exceed the cash price. In cases where a patient has a high deductible or self-pay preference, paying the cash rate of $84.00 directly may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, especially if the insurer's allowed amount is higher than the cash price.
To minimize costs, patients should proactively contact the hospital to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. It is also important to verify that the facility is in-network for your specific plan, as in-network rates are contractually capped but can still vary widely between carriers; for instance, Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a low end of $19, while UnitedHealthcare's range extends up to $151. Finally, if you receive a bill, request a detailed itemized statement to ensure no errors exist, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be resolved through a formal audit before payment.