Blood test, vitamin B12
Facility: Oakleaf Surgical Hospital
Billing Code: 82607 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82607
- Insurance Median: $15
- Cash Discount Price: $79
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.99x Medicare
Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.
Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.
Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.
Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare
Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $15.08 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.
Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator
Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.
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 | $15 | 99% |
| Dean Health Plan | $15 | 99% |
| Group Health Cooperative Of Eau Claire | $15 | 99% |
| Healthpartners | $15 | 99% |
| Humana | $15 | 99% |
| Medica | $15 | 99% |
| Quartz Health Solutions | $15 | 99% |
| Security Health Plan Of Wi | $15 | 99% |
| Ucare Wi | $15 | 99% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $15 | 99% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for vitamin B12 at Oakleaf Surgical Hospital in Altoona, WI, the cash median price of $79 is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $88 and the Medicare benchmark of $15.08. While the hospital is a physician-owned acute care facility, the cash rate represents a substantial discount from the listed gross price, though it remains higher than the Medicare amount. This pricing structure highlights the importance of comparing the cash rate directly against the Medicare baseline to understand the true cost basis, as commercial negotiated rates often include administrative markups that can inflate the final price paid by insured patients.
The median negotiated rate for this service is $15, which aligns exactly with the Medicare amount of $15.08 and the cash rate of $79 for the specific payers listed, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. Because all ten payers in this dataset have a high and low rate of $15 across their plans, there is no variation in the allowed amount for these insurers. Patients should be aware that while the negotiated rate matches the Medicare benchmark, the cash price of $79 is the most direct cost for those without insurance or high-deductible plans, potentially offering savings if the insurance allowed amount exceeds the cash price. It is advisable to inquire about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts before scheduling, as paying upfront can sometimes further reduce the total liability.