CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, hemoglobin

Facility: Hospital for Special Surgery

Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 85018
Insurance Median: $11
Cash Discount Price: $22
vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.64x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, hemoglobin at Hospital for Special Surgery is $11. 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 4.64x the Medicare baseline. Located in 535 East 70Th Street, New York, NY.

Cash / Self-Pay

$22

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$11

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: $11 (464%)

Cash: $22 (928% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $11 (464% 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 464% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 364%). 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
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$2 - $191	84%
UnitedHealthcare	$3 - $155	127%
Fidelis Essential [1323]	$5	211%
Aetna	$8 - $11	338%
Affinity By Molina Health Plan [1005]	$8 - $122	338%
Christian Brothers [1034]	$8 - $11	338%
Connecticare [1039]	$8 - $15	338%
Emblem Health [1043]	$8 - $15	338%
Harvard Pilgrim [1057]	$8 - $155	338%
Medicare (plans)	$8	338%
Meritain Health [1085]	$8 - $11	338%
Nippon Life [1092]	$8 - $11	338%
Oxford [1096]	$8 - $105	338%
Student Resources [1103]	$8 - $128	338%
Webtpa [1356]	$8 - $11	338%
Geha [1053]	$128	5401%
Apwu [1016]	$129 - $144	5443%
Cigna	$129 - $144	5443%
Nalc [1090]	$129 - $144	5443%
Qualcare [1101]	$129 - $144	5443%
Wellfleet [1361]	$129 - $144	5443%

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 Hospital for Special Surgery 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.