Blood test, potassium
Facility: Lindsborg Community Hospital
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $51
- Cash Discount Price: $39
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 10.71x 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 $4.76 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 1071% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 971%). 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 | $10 | 210% |
| Tricare | $26 | 546% |
| Coventry Mcr Adv | $26 | 546% |
| Cigna | $47 | 987% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $50 | 1050% |
| Coventry Comm-All Other Plans | $50 | 1050% |
| Multiplan-All Plans | $51 | 1071% |
| Phcs Preferred-All Plans | $51 | 1071% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $52 | 1092% |
| Health Partners -All Plans | $52 | 1092% |
| Coventry Wc | $52 | 1092% |
| Century Health-All Plans | $52 | 1092% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, potassium procedure (CPT 84132) at Lindsborg Community Hospital, the cash price is $39.00, which is lower than the facility's negotiated rates of $51.00 and the Medicare benchmark of $4.76. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Lindsborg, KS, the cash rate remains the most affordable option compared to the various payer-specific negotiated rates ranging from $10 to $52. Patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may benefit from paying the cash price directly, as the $39.00 rate is significantly lower than the $51.00 median negotiated amount. It is important to note that while the cash price is lower than the negotiated rates, it is still substantially higher than the Medicare benchmark, which serves as a baseline for the true cost of care.
To minimize costs, patients should inquire about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, effectively bringing the cost closer to the cash price. Additionally, patients should request an itemized billing audit to ensure no errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered are included in the final invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain such discrepancies. Since the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should verify that all ancillary services, such as laboratory tests, are covered under their plan to avoid unexpected charges. Always confirm the specific self-pay or prompt-pay rates with the hospital before scheduling to ensure you are receiving the most favorable pricing available.