CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, potassium

Facility: Barnes Jewish Hospital

Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 84132
Insurance Median: $57
Cash Discount Price: $54
vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.97x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, potassium at Barnes Jewish Hospital is $57. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $54. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $4.76, this hospital’s rate is 11.97x the Medicare baseline. Located in One Barnes-Jewish Hospital Plaza, Saint Louis, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$54

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$57

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$4.76

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $4.76 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $54 (1134%)

Insurance Median: $57 (1197%)

Cash: $54 (1134% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $57 (1197% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $4.76 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 1197% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1097%). 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	$5 - $67	105%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$6 - $58	126%
Cigna	$7 - $72	147%
Aetna	$9 - $68	189%
Allied Benefits [498]	$9 - $67	189%
Consociate [478]	$9	189%
Coresource [497]	$9	189%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$9	189%
Mail Handlers [495]	$9	189%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$9	189%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$11	231%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$11	231%
Priority Health [648]	$11	231%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$15 - $78	315%
Humana	$15	315%
Mercy Behavioral Health [573]	$22	462%
Healthlink [225]	$44 - $68	924%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$50 - $58	1050%
Health Alliance [224]	$50	1050%
Hope Trust [806]	$52	1092%
Med-Pay [480]	$58 - $68	1218%
Unicare [568]	$58 - $68	1218%
First Health Commercial [734]	$67	1408%
Beechstreet [551]	$68	1429%
Detego Health [868]	$68	1429%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$68	1429%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$68	1429%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$68	1429%
Multiplan [240]	$68	1429%
Phcs [244]	$68 - $72	1429%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$68	1429%
Medica [661]	$72	1513%
Hfn [563]	$76	1597%

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 $54.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 84132.

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 84132.
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.