Blood test, basic metabolic panel
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 80048 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 80048
- Insurance Median: $108
- Cash Discount Price: $84
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 12.77x 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 $8.46 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 1277% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1177%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 | $12 - $13 | 142% |
| Preferred Phsic | $72 | 851% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $98 | 1158% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $108 | 1277% |
| Aetna | $108 | 1277% |
| Cigna | $108 | 1277% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $108 | 1277% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the basic metabolic panel blood test (CPT 80048) at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS, the facility's cash price of $84.00 is significantly lower than the median negotiated rate of $108.00 and the state average of $120.00. While many commercial payers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna, have negotiated rates around $108.00, patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find the cash price more advantageous. It is important to note that while the cash rate is lower, commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that can inflate the final allowed amount; therefore, patients should verify their specific deductible status before relying on insurance to cover this service.
To ensure you are not overcharged, we recommend requesting an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, if you are self-paying, ask the billing department about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if settled within 30 days. If you receive a balance bill from an out-of-network provider, remember that the No Surprises Act generally protects you from paying the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount for emergency care or non-emergency services at an in-network facility. Always dispute any unexpected bills in writing rather than accepting summary invoices or signing away your rights through consent waivers.