CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, potassium

Facility: Carolina East Medical Center

Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 84132
Insurance Median: $33
Cash Discount Price: $28
vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.93x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, potassium at Carolina East Medical Center is $33. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $28. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $4.76, this hospital’s rate is 6.93x the Medicare baseline. Located in 2000 Neuse Blvd, New Bern, NC.

Cash / Self-Pay

$28

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$33

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: $28 (588%)

Insurance Median: $33 (693%)

Cash: $28 (588% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $33 (693% 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 693% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 593%). 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
Humana	$5	105%
Inclusive Health (Nchirp)-All Plans	$5	105%
Tricare	$5 - $57	105%
Pamlico Co Jail-All Plans	$10 - $15	210%
Craven Co. Jail Systems - All Plans	$11 - $19	231%
UnitedHealthcare	$13 - $41	273%
Medcost Ppo Employees And Retirees	$24 - $37	504%
Medcost Ppo Ultra (Employees)	$24 - $36	504%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$26 - $39	546%
Medcost Ppo City Employees	$27 - $42	567%
Medcost Ppo County Employee	$28 - $43	588%
Benefit Mgmt, Svcs-All Plans	$31 - $48	651%
Acs Consult Svc Inc-All Plans	$33 - $51	693%
Aetna	$33 - $50	693%
Medcost Benefit Svc-All Other Plans	$33 - $50	693%
Medcost Ppo Standard	$33 - $51	693%
Cigna	$34 - $52	714%

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 $28.
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 Carolina East Medical Center 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.