Blood test, calcium
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc
Billing Code: 82310 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82310
- Insurance Median: $5
- Cash Discount Price: $19
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.97x 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 $5.16 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Smarthealth | $1 - $7 | 19% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $5 - $14 | 97% |
| Humana | $5 | 97% |
| Aetna | $5 | 97% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $5 | 97% |
| Providrs Care | $5 | 97% |
| Va | $5 | 97% |
| Medicare (plans) | $5 | 97% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $9 | 174% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $16 - $69 | 310% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood calcium test (CPT 82310) at Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, the cash price is $19.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $48.00. While the facility's negotiated rates for major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Blue Cross Blue Shield range from $5.00 to $14.00, these amounts are still higher than the cash price. This pricing structure highlights a common billing dynamic where paying out-of-pocket can be more cost-effective for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, as the insurance negotiated rate often exceeds the cash price. To maximize savings, patients should explicitly ask the hospital for "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill.
When evaluating costs, it is important to compare these rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the hospital's inflated list price. The Medicare allowed amount for this service is $5.16, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average figures for comparison, the facility's cash rate of $19.00 represents a substantial markup over the Medicare rate of $5.16. Patients should be aware that commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overheads that inflate rates above the Medicare baseline, and relying on the hospital's gross charges as a benchmark can lead to confusion about actual savings. Always verify your specific plan's deductible status and allowed amounts before proceeding, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting your deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket expenses than paying the cash price directly.