CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, hemoglobin

Facility: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 85018
Insurance Median: $30
Cash Discount Price: $29
vs. Medicare Baseline: 12.66x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, hemoglobin at Barnes Jewish Hospital is $30. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $29. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $2.37, this hospital’s rate is 12.66x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$29

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$30

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: $29 (1224%)

Insurance Median: $30 (1266%)

Cash: $29 (1224% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $30 (1266% 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 1266% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1166%). 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	$2 - $36	84%
Cigna	$3 - $38	127%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$3 - $31	127%
Aetna	$5 - $36	211%
Allied Benefits [498]	$5 - $36	211%
Consociate [478]	$5	211%
Coresource [497]	$5	211%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$5	211%
Mail Handlers [495]	$5	211%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$5	211%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$6	253%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$6	253%
Priority Health [648]	$6	253%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$7 - $42	295%
Humana	$8	338%
Mercy Behavioral Health [573]	$12	506%
Healthlink [225]	$23 - $36	970%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$26 - $31	1097%
Health Alliance [224]	$26	1097%
Hope Trust [806]	$28	1181%
Med-Pay [480]	$31 - $36	1308%
Unicare [568]	$31 - $36	1308%
Beechstreet [551]	$36	1519%
Detego Health [868]	$36	1519%
First Health Commercial [734]	$36	1519%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$36	1519%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$36	1519%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$36	1519%
Multiplan [240]	$36	1519%
Phcs [244]	$36 - $38	1519%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$36	1519%
Medica [661]	$38	1603%
Hfn [563]	$41	1730%

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 $29.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 85018.

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 85018.
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.