Blood test, potassium
Facility: Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 84132 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84132
- Insurance Median: $870
- Cash Discount Price: $30
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 182.77x 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 18277% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 18177%). 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 | 18277% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
Regional Medical Center in Manchester, Iowa, offers a blood test for potassium with a cash median price of $30 and a negotiated rate of $870 by Medical Associates Health Plan - Tri. This facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government and carries a rating of 4 stars. While the cash rate is notably lower than the negotiated amount, patients should be aware that cash payments can sometimes result in lower out-of-pocket costs if their insurance plan's negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, particularly for those with high-deductible plans. It is advisable to confirm with the hospital whether "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling the service.
For patients wondering about the value of this service, the Medicare amount for this procedure is $4.76, which serves as a benchmark for the true cost of delivery. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average comparisons for this specific code, the significant difference between the cash rate of $30 and the negotiated rate of $870 highlights how administrative structures can inflate commercial billing. To ensure you are not overcharged, consider requesting an itemized billing audit to verify that all charges are accurate and that no unbundled codes or services not rendered have been included in your final statement.