CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, sodium

Facility: Hospital for Special Surgery

Billing Code: 84295 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 84295
Insurance Median: $61
Cash Discount Price: $90
vs. Medicare Baseline: 12.68x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, sodium at Hospital for Special Surgery is $61. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $90. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $4.81, this hospital’s rate is 12.68x the Medicare baseline. Located in 535 East 70Th Street, New York, NY.

Cash / Self-Pay

$90

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$61

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$4.81

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $4.81 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $90 (1871%)

Insurance Median: $61 (1268%)

Cash: $90 (1871% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $61 (1268% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $4.81 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 1268% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1168%). 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	$5 - $191	104%
UnitedHealthcare	$6 - $155	125%
Fidelis Essential [1323]	$11	229%
Aetna	$45 - $61	936%
Christian Brothers [1034]	$45 - $61	936%
Meritain Health [1085]	$45 - $61	936%
Nippon Life [1092]	$45 - $61	936%
Webtpa [1356]	$45 - $61	936%
Affinity By Molina Health Plan [1005]	$61 - $122	1268%
Connecticare [1039]	$61	1268%
Emblem Health [1043]	$61	1268%
Harvard Pilgrim [1057]	$61 - $155	1268%
Medicare (plans)	$61	1268%
Oxford [1096]	$61 - $105	1268%
Student Resources [1103]	$61 - $128	1268%
Geha [1053]	$128	2661%
Apwu [1016]	$129 - $144	2682%
Cigna	$129 - $144	2682%
Nalc [1090]	$129 - $144	2682%
Qualcare [1101]	$129 - $144	2682%
Wellfleet [1361]	$129 - $144	2682%

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 $90.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 84295.

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 84295.
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.