CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, basic metabolic panel

Facility: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Billing Code: 80048 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 80048
Insurance Median: $176
Cash Discount Price: $167
vs. Medicare Baseline: 20.80x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, basic metabolic panel at Barnes Jewish Hospital is $176. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $167. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $8.46, this hospital’s rate is 20.80x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$167

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$176

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$8.46

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $8.46 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $167 (1974%)

Insurance Median: $176 (2080%)

Cash: $167 (1974% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $176 (2080% of 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 2080% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1980%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance 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
UnitedHealthcare	$9 - $207	106%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$10 - $181	118%
Cigna	$12 - $223	142%
Aetna	$16 - $209	189%
Allied Benefits [498]	$16 - $207	189%
Consociate [478]	$16	189%
Coresource [497]	$16	189%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$16	189%
Mail Handlers [495]	$16	189%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$16	189%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$20	236%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$20	236%
Priority Health [648]	$20	236%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$26 - $243	307%
Humana	$28	331%
Mercy Behavioral Health [573]	$70	827%
Healthlink [225]	$135 - $211	1596%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$153 - $181	1809%
Health Alliance [224]	$153	1809%
Hope Trust [806]	$162	1915%
Med-Pay [480]	$181 - $209	2139%
Unicare [568]	$181 - $211	2139%
First Health Commercial [734]	$207	2447%
Beechstreet [551]	$209	2470%
Detego Health [868]	$209	2470%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$209	2470%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$209	2470%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$209	2470%
Multiplan [240]	$209	2470%
Phcs [244]	$209 - $223	2470%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$211	2494%
Medica [661]	$223	2636%
Hfn [563]	$237	2801%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $167.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 80048.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Barnes Jewish Hospital is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 80048.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.