CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, potassium

Facility: The Children's Mercy Hospital

Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 84132
Insurance Median: $36
Cash Discount Price: $27
vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.56x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, potassium at The Children's Mercy Hospital is $36. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $27. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $4.76, this hospital’s rate is 7.56x the Medicare baseline. Located in 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$27

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$36

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: $27 (567%)

Insurance Median: $36 (756%)

Cash: $27 (567% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $36 (756% 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 756% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 656%). 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	$4 - $38	84%
Healthy Blue	$5 - $13	105%
Medicaid / KanCare	$5	105%
Home State Health	$11	231%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$23 - $41	483%
Cigna	$27 - $39	567%
Medica	$33	693%
Aetna	$34 - $38	714%
Centivo	$36	756%
Health Midwest Comprehensive Care	$36	756%
Nebraska Furniture Mart	$36	756%
Orscheln	$36	756%
Quiktrip	$36	756%
Wellfit/Centrus	$36	756%
Wppa Providrs Care	$36	756%
Humana	$37	777%
Coventry Health Care Of Kansas	$41	861%
Coxhealth Network	$41	861%
Mercy Health	$42	882%
Multiplan	$43	903%
American Healthcare Alliance	$48	1008%
Healthlink	$49	1029%
National Preferred Provider Network	$50	1050%

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 $27.
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 The Children's Mercy 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.