Psychological testing by technician
Facility: Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City
Billing Code: 96138 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 96138
- Insurance Median: $30
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.07x 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 $456.4 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 | $30 | 7% |
| Cigna | $30 | 7% |
| Humana | $30 | 7% |
| Aetna | $30 | 7% |
| Medicare (plans) | $30 | 7% |
| Kansas Health | $30 | 7% |
| Kaiser | $30 | 7% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 96138, "Psychological testing by technician," the facility in Dodge City, KS, has a median negotiated rate of $30.00 across seven payers, including Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, and Humana. This rate is significantly lower than the state average for this service, which is $456.40 (the Medicare amount). Because the negotiated rate is so low compared to the Medicare benchmark, patients with high-deductible plans might find that paying cash upfront is more cost-effective than relying on insurance, provided the facility offers a self-pay or prompt-pay discount. It is important to verify these discounts directly with the hospital before scheduling, as waiting until after a claim is submitted may void the ability to negotiate a lower cash price.
While the data shows a consistent $30.00 rate for most major insurers, Kaiser displays a caveat indicating an integrated-system internal rate that is not a typical negotiated rate. Patients should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for in-network services under the No Surprises Act, meaning they should not expect to be billed for the difference between the chargemaster and the allowed amount. However, if a patient receives unexpected charges, they should request a formal itemized billing audit to identify any errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80% of hospital bills contain mistakes. Disputes should be handled in writing to ensure corrections are properly recorded, rather than accepting summary bills or settling verbal promises.