Blood test, basic metabolic panel
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc
Billing Code: 80048 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80048
- Insurance Median: $9
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.06x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $8 | 95% |
| Vc Hope | $8 | 95% |
| Va | $8 | 95% |
| Medicare (plans) | $8 - $9 | 95% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $9 - $24 | 106% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $9 | 106% |
| Smarthealth | $9 - $12 | 106% |
| Cigna | $13 | 154% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $14 | 165% |
| Aetna | $27 - $30 | 319% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $34 | 402% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, basic metabolic panel (CPT 80048) at Ascension Via Christi Rehabilitation Hospital Inc in Wichita, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $8.46 to $9.00, which aligns closely with the Medicare benchmark of $8.46 and the state average. While commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna have negotiated rates up to $34, these figures are significantly higher than the Medicare baseline, illustrating how commercial contracts can exceed fair pricing standards. Patients with high-deductible plans should consider that paying cash might be more cost-effective if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, though cash rates are not listed for this service. It is important to verify the specific allowed amount with your insurer before scheduling, as in-network rates vary widely even within the same facility.
To minimize potential costs, patients should proactively ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce bills by 20% to 50% when paid upfront, bypassing the administrative overhead of insurance claims. If you receive a bill, always request a full itemized statement rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes that can be disputed. Under the No Surprises Act, you are protected from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, so do not pay surprise bills immediately without first requesting a formal audit or a No Surprises Act review from your insurer.