Psychotherapy session (45 minutes)
Facility: Greeley County Health Services
Billing Code: 90834 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 90834
- Insurance Median: $130
- Cash Discount Price: $199
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.72x 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 $181.34 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 | $130 | 72% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this psychotherapy session at Greeley County Health Services in Tribune, KS, the facility's cash price of $199.00 is lower than the negotiated rate of $130.00 paid by Blue Cross Blue Shield, which is the only payer in this dataset. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, the data indicates a single payer plan with a fixed allowed amount of $130.00. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price of $199.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate exceeds the cash price in this specific instance. It is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying out-of-pocket might result in a lower total out-of-pocket cost if your insurance does not cover the service until your deductible is met.
To ensure you are not overcharged, always request a full itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices can hide unbundled codes or services not rendered. If you receive a balance bill for the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the cash price by 20% to 50% if paid upfront, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing. Since Medicare rates serve as a benchmark for fair pricing, comparing your facility's rates to these federal standards can help identify if the commercial rates are appropriately marked up for your specific service.