Blood test, glucose (blood sugar)
Facility: Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 82947 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 82947
- Insurance Median: $870
- Cash Discount Price: $26
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 221.37x 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 $3.93 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 22137% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 22037%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri | $870 | 22137% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa, offers a blood test for glucose at a cash median price of $26. This rate is significantly lower than the facility's median negotiated rate of $870, which is charged by Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri. While the cash price is the lowest listed amount, patients with high-deductible plans may still benefit from paying cash upfront, as the negotiated rate far exceeds the cash option. It is important to note that this facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, and patients should verify if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling to ensure they are receiving the best possible price.
The price transparency data indicates that the cash median of $26 is substantially lower than the facility's gross charge of $32 and the Medicare amount of $3.93. Although the data does not provide specific state or county averages for this procedure, the stark difference between the cash rate and the negotiated rate highlights the potential for significant savings when paying out-of-pocket. Consumers should be aware that while balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency services at in-network facilities, unexpected ancillary charges can sometimes occur; therefore, requesting an itemized billing audit before paying a summary bill is a critical step to identify any errors or unbundled codes. Finally, patients should confirm their deductible status, as paying the full negotiated rate of $870 without meeting the deductible could result in higher out-of-pocket costs compared to the cash price of $26.