Blood test, lipase
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospital Manhattan, Inc
Billing Code: 83690 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 83690
- Insurance Median: $7
- Cash Discount Price: $68
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.02x 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 $6.89 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 | $6 - $10 | 87% |
| Va | $7 | 102% |
| Medicare (plans) | $7 | 102% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $7 | 102% |
| Providrs Care | $7 | 102% |
| Aetna | $7 | 102% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $7 - $19 | 102% |
| Humana | $7 | 102% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $12 | 174% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $144 - $152 | 2090% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test, lipase (CPT 83690), the facility's cash median price is $68.00, which is significantly lower than the state average of $169.00. While Medicare reimburses $6.89 for this service, commercial insurance plans negotiate rates that often exceed the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. For example, Blue Cross Blue Shield has negotiated rates ranging from $144 to $152, which is more than double the cash rate, whereas Medicaid/KanCare and several other payers have negotiated rates near $7.00. This disparity highlights that in-network coverage does not always guarantee the lowest cost; patients with high-deductible plans may save money by paying the cash price directly, provided they verify the facility's "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling.
To ensure you are receiving fair pricing, it is important to compare these rates against the objective baseline of Medicare, which reflects the true cost of care rather than the inflated chargemaster list. Although the facility is a voluntary non-profit in Manhattan, KS, with a facility rating of 4, the wide variation in negotiated rates across different payers—ranging from $7.00 to $152.00—demonstrates that contract terms vary significantly by insurer. We recommend requesting an itemized billing audit if you receive a summary bill, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as double-billing or unbundled codes. Additionally, if you choose to pay out-of-network or encounter unexpected charges, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for