CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, hemoglobin

Facility: North Carolina Baptist Hospital

Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 85018
Insurance Median: $15
Cash Discount Price: $22
vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.33x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, hemoglobin at North Carolina Baptist Hospital is $15. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $22. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $2.37, this hospital’s rate is 6.33x the Medicare baseline. Located in Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, NC.

Cash / Self-Pay

$22

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$15

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: $22 (928%)

Insurance Median: $15 (633%)

Cash: $22 (928% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $15 (633% 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 633% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 533%). 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
Aetna	$2 - $38	84%
Apex	$2	84%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$2 - $17	84%
Cigna	$2 - $27	84%
Devoted	$2	84%
Healthteam	$2	84%
Humana	$2 - $25	84%
Medicare (plans)	$2	84%
UnitedHealthcare	$2 - $16	84%
Wellcare	$2 - $4	84%
Liberty	$3	127%
Alliance	$4	169%
Amerihealth	$4 - $11	169%
Carolina Complete	$4	169%
Health Blue	$4	169%
Medcost	$4 - $30	169%
Partners	$4	169%
Trillium	$4	169%
Vaya	$4	169%
Ambetter / Centene	$9 - $10	380%
Oscar	$13 - $16	549%
Directnet	$25 - $27	1055%
Cone Health	$29 - $32	1224%
Healthgram	$29 - $32	1224%
First Carolina Care	$34 - $36	1435%
Private Healthcare Systems	$34 - $37	1435%
Multiplan	$38 - $40	1603%

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 $22.
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 North Carolina Baptist 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.