Blood test, creatinine (kidney)
Facility: Salina Regional Health Center
Billing Code: 82565 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82565
- Insurance Median: $49
- Cash Discount Price: $38
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.57x 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 $5.12 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 957% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 857%). 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 | $7 | 137% |
| Preferred Phsic | $33 | 645% |
| Preferred Healthcare - All Other Plans | $44 | 859% |
| Aetna | $49 | 957% |
| Multiplan (Mpi)-All Plans | $49 | 957% |
| Cigna | $49 | 957% |
| Providers Care (Wppa)-All Plans | $49 | 957% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for creatinine (kidney) at Salina Regional Health Center in Salina, KS, the facility's cash median price is $38.00, which is lower than the state average of $44.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, and Cigna average $49.00, these amounts are still below the facility's gross charge of $55.00. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $38.00 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash price. Additionally, patients should inquire directly with the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can further reduce the final bill before any insurance processing occurs.
Regarding billing transparency, patients should be aware that commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead, which can inflate the baseline price by 20% to 40% compared to the true cost of care. While the facility's negotiated rate of $49.00 is higher than the Medicare benchmark of $5.12, it remains significantly lower than the gross charge, indicating a substantial discount from the list price. If you receive a bill that appears to include balance billing for out-of-network services, such as specific lab components, you have the right to dispute the amount under the No Surprises Act, which prohibits balance billing for emergency and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. To ensure accuracy, always request a full itemized bill before making any payments, as summary bills may obscure individual charges or errors.