Blood test, hemoglobin
Facility: Mercy Hospital of Buffalo
Billing Code: 85018 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 85018
- Insurance Median: $2
- Cash Discount Price: $11
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.84x 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 $2.37 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 |
|---|---|---|
| VA Veterans Affairs [700001] | $1 - $2 | 42% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $1 - $2 | 42% |
| Independent Health Essential [100166] | $2 | 84% |
| Iha First Choice [800001] | $2 | 84% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $2 - $5 | 84% |
| Medicare (plans) | $2 | 84% |
| Independent Health [100165] | $2 | 84% |
| Covid19 Hrsa [45013] | $2 | 84% |
| Federal Workers Compensation [500100] | $2 - $6 | 84% |
| Vna Option Mltc [350110] | $2 | 84% |
| Wellcare [450129] | $2 - $3 | 84% |
| Fidelis Dual Advantage [450120] | $2 | 84% |
| Molina Essential [100167] | $2 - $5 | 84% |
| Excellus Rochester McD [350117] | $2 | 84% |
| Tricare | $2 | 84% |
| Tuscarora Nation [550120] | $2 | 84% |
| Cigna | $2 | 84% |
| Fallon Health [450115] | $2 | 84% |
| Amerigroup [350102] | $2 - $5 | 84% |
| Beacon Essential [350122] | $2 | 84% |
| Crime Victims [100176] | $2 | 84% |
| Champ VA [700002] | $2 | 84% |
| Seneca Nation [450119] | $2 | 84% |
| Catholic Health Life Pace [400005] | $2 | 84% |
| Humana | $2 | 84% |
| Univera Healthcare Essential [100170] | $2 | 84% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $2 | 84% |
| Fidelis Essential [100163] | $2 - $5 | 84% |
| Wellcare Fidelis Dual [450451] | $2 | 84% |
| Univera Healthcare [100169] | $2 - $4 | 84% |
| Hospice [550001] | $2 | 84% |
| Aetna | $2 | 84% |
| Fidelis Exchange [100164] | $3 - $4 | 127% |
| UPMC Health Plan [100181] | $4 | 169% |
| No Fault [114001] | $6 | 253% |