CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, hemoglobin

Facility: Barnes-Jewish St Peters Hospital

Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 85018
Insurance Median: $21
Cash Discount Price: $20
vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.86x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, hemoglobin at Barnes-Jewish St Peters Hospital is $21. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $20. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $2.37, this hospital’s rate is 8.86x the Medicare baseline. Located in 10 Hospital Dr, Saint Peters, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$20

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$21

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: $20 (844%)

Insurance Median: $21 (886%)

Cash: $20 (844% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $21 (886% 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 886% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 786%). 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 - $25	84%
Cigna	$3 - $5	127%
Healthscope Benefits [258]	$3	127%
Sarah Bush Lincoln [636]	$3 - $4	127%
Aetna	$4 - $25	169%
Allied Benefits [498]	$4 - $25	169%
Consociate [478]	$4	169%
Coresource [497]	$4	169%
Fmh Benefit Service Inc [222]	$4	169%
Mail Handlers [495]	$4	169%
Apwu Health Plan [216]	$5	211%
Nalc Health Benefit Plan [242]	$5	211%
Priority Health [648]	$5	211%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$6 - $29	253%
Humana	$7	295%
Healthlink [225]	$16 - $25	675%
Cox Health Systems Insurance Company [220]	$18 - $21	759%
Health Alliance [224]	$18	759%
Hope Trust [806]	$19	802%
Med-Pay [480]	$21 - $25	886%
Unicare [568]	$21 - $25	886%
Beechstreet [551]	$25	1055%
Detego Health [868]	$25	1055%
First Health Commercial [734]	$25	1055%
Health Systems Inc [620]	$25	1055%
Healthcare Sol Mercy [609]	$25	1055%
Multiplan Commercial [737]	$25	1055%
Multiplan [240]	$25	1055%
Phcs [244]	$25 - $26	1055%
Preferred Health Professionals [561]	$25	1055%
Hfn [563]	$26	1097%
Medica [661]	$26	1097%
Mh Magellan Health Services [270]	$33	1392%

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 $20.
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 St Peters 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.