CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, hemoglobin

Facility: Northern Louisiana Medical Center

Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)
  • CPT Billing Code: 85018
  • Insurance Median: $312
  • Cash Discount Price: $245
  • vs. Medicare Baseline: 131.65x Medicare
The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, hemoglobin at Northern Louisiana Medical Center is $312. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $245. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $2.37, this hospital’s rate is 131.65x the Medicare baseline. Located in 401 East Vaughn Avenue, Ruston, LA.
Cash / Self-Pay
$245

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median
$312

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate
$2.37

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $2.37 (100%)
Cash / Self-Pay: $245 (10338%)
Insurance Median: $312 (13165%)
Cash: $245 (10338% of Medicare)
Ins. Median: $312 (13165% of 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 13165% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 13065%). 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.

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group Contract Rate Range vs. Medicare Reference
Aetna $2 - $267 84%
Blue Cross Blue Shield $2 - $64 84%
Champus $2 84%
Champva $2 84%
Golden Rule Ins $2 - $268 84%
Gulf South Services $2 84%
Humana $2 - $70 84%
Medicaid / KanCare $2 - $446 84%
Medicare (plans) $2 84%
Mutual Of Omaha $2 84%
Tricare $2 84%
UnitedHealthcare $2 - $268 84%
Va $2 84%
Vantage Advantage $2 84%
Veterans Evaluation Svcs $2 84%
Vantage Health Plan Ppaca $4 169%
First Health $5 - $379 211%
Vantage Health Plan $5 211%
Verity Healthnet $218 9198%
Cigna $223 9409%
Kaiser Permanente $223 9409%
Gilsbar $245 10338%
Self Pay $245 10338%
Geha $356 - $423 15021%
Multiplan $379 15992%
Phcs $379 15992%
Work Comp City Of Ruston $401 16920%
Work Comp First Health $401 16920%
Work Comp Nlmc Emp $401 16920%
Workers Compensation $401 16920%
Aarp $446 18819%
Aflc American Family Life $446 18819%
American Life Accident $446 18819%
Apwu Health Plan $446 18819%
Bankers Life And Casualty $446 18819%
Benefit Trust Life $446 18819%
Crime Victims Compensatio $446 18819%
Equitable $446 18819%
Fox Everett Inc $446 18819%
Gmp Employers Retiree Tru $446 18819%
Gsu Athletics $446 18819%
Guarantee Trust Life Ins $446 18819%
Healthfirst Tpa $446 18819%
Hospice Of Caring Hearts $446 18819%
Ima Insurance $446 18819%
Industrial Accounts $446 18819%
Liberty Healthshare $446 18819%
Liberty Mutual Group $446 18819%
Lifecare Specialty Hosp $446 18819%
Lin Parish Detention $446 18819%
Lincoln Kidney Center $446 18819%
Ltu Athletics $446 18819%
Ltu Student Ins Bollinger $446 18819%
Mcr American Hlth Adv $446 18819%
Misc Commercial $446 18819%
Mva Insurance Payors $446 18819%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan $446 18819%
Nalc Natl Assoc Ltr Carri $446 18819%
Newera $446 18819%
Nlmc Community Services $446 18819%
Physicians Mutual Ins $446 18819%
Premier Hospice $446 18819%
Principal Mutual Life Ins $446 18819%
Protective Life Ins $446 18819%
Ruston Regional Specialty $446 18819%
Specialty Hosp Of Winnfie $446 18819%
State Farm Insurance $446 18819%
State Mutual Ins $446 18819%
Sterling Investors Life $446 18819%
The Hartford $446 18819%
Union Bankers Insurance C $446 18819%
Union Fidelity Life Ins $446 18819%
United American $446 18819%
United Teachers Ins $446 18819%
Us Dept Of Labor $446 18819%
Washington National Ins $446 18819%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Facility Profile & Credentials

  • Address: 401 East Vaughn Avenue, Ruston, LA 71270
  • CMS Rating: ★★☆☆☆
  • Ownership Type: Proprietary
  • Hospital Type: Acute Care Hospitals