CMS Price Transparency Data

Culture, blood

Facility: The Children's Mercy Hospital

Billing Code: 87040 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 87040
Insurance Median: $81
Cash Discount Price: $60
vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.85x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Culture, blood at The Children's Mercy Hospital is $81. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $60. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $10.32, this hospital’s rate is 7.85x the Medicare baseline. Located in 2401 Gillham Road, Kansas City, MO.

Cash / Self-Pay

$60

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$81

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$10.32

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $10.32 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $60 (581%)

Insurance Median: $81 (785%)

Cash: $60 (581% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $81 (785% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $10.32 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 785% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 685%). 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	$10 - $84	97%
Healthy Blue	$11 - $28	107%
Medicaid / KanCare	$11	107%
Home State Health	$25	242%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$51 - $92	494%
Cigna	$60 - $87	581%
Medica	$73	707%
Aetna	$75 - $85	727%
Centivo	$81	785%
Health Midwest Comprehensive Care	$81	785%
Nebraska Furniture Mart	$81	785%
Orscheln	$81	785%
Quiktrip	$81	785%
Wellfit/Centrus	$81	785%
Wppa Providrs Care	$81	785%
Humana	$83	804%
Coventry Health Care Of Kansas	$92	891%
Coxhealth Network	$92	891%
Mercy Health	$94	911%
Multiplan	$95	921%
American Healthcare Alliance	$106	1027%
Healthlink	$110	1066%
National Preferred Provider Network	$112	1085%

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 $60.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 87040.

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 87040.
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.