Basic metabolic panel Cost by Hospital

Basic metabolic panel is a laboratory test. Prices are from 2240 US hospitals across 52 states, from their machine-readable files.

$94median cash price · 2240 hospitals, 52 statestypically $26–$271 depending on the hospital
≈ 11.1× Medicare · High vs MedicareFind hospitals near you

Price comparison (median)

Chargemaster (list price)
$156
Cash / self-pay
$94
Insurer-negotiated
$21
Medicare pays
$8
$26$271
Median cash $94  ·  Medicare $8  ·  bar = typical cash range (10th–90th percentile)
Is this a fair price?
1× Medicarefair ≈2×5×+

Typical cash price here is $94 — about 11.1× the Medicare rate ($8). High vs Medicare. A fair cash price is usually within ~2× Medicare ($17).

💡 Asking for the cash price instead of the $156 list price could save about $62 (40%).

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Rough estimate from this procedure’s median insurer-negotiated rate. Your actual cost depends on your plan — confirm with your insurer.

Lowest cash prices

HospitalLocationCashInsurerCMS ratingER waitReadmit
Hancock County Hospital Sneedville, TN $14 $44 — 104 min —
Dickenson Community Hospital Clintwood, VA $14 $19 — 109 min —
Lee County Community Hospital Pennington Gap, VA $14 $14 — 109 min —
St Joseph Hospital Bangor, ME $14 $10 ★ 3/5 186 min —
Penn State Health St. Joseph Reading, PA $14 $10 ★ 3/5 232 min —
Johnson Memorial Hospital Franklin, IN $14 $9 ★ 5/5 139 min —
Wellmont Bristol Regional Medical Center Bristol, TN $14 $9 ★ 2/5 196 min —
Wellmont Holston Valley Medical Center Kingsport, TN $14 $9 ★ 2/5 204 min —
Sycamore Shoals Hospital Elizabethton, TN $14 $10 ★ 2/5 142 min —
Hawkins County Memorial Hospital Rogersville, TN $14 $9 — 113 min —
Greeneville Community Hospital Greeneville, TN $14 $10 ★ 2/5 154 min —
Johnson City Medical Center Johnson City, TN $14 $9 ★ 1/5 211 min —
Indian Path Community Hospital Kingsport, TN $14 $9 — 136 min —
Franklin Woods Community Hospital Johnson City, TN $14 $9 ★ 3/5 178 min —
Johnson County Community Hospital Mountain City, TN $14 $9 — 131 min —
Russell County Hospital Lebanon, VA $14 $9 ★ 4/5 130 min —
Smyth County Community Hospital Marion, VA $14 $9 ★ 3/5 141 min —
Johnston Memorial Hospital Abingdon, VA $14 $9 ★ 3/5 192 min —
Lonesome Pine Hospital Big Stone Gap, VA $14 $9 ★ 4/5 131 min —
Doctors Medical Center Modesto, CA $15 — ★ 1/5 221 min —
Western Missouri Medical Center Warrensburg, MO $15 — ★ 4/5 140 min —
Oklahoma Spine Hospital Oklahoma City, OK $15 $8 — 112 min —
Aurora Medical Ctr Manitowoc County Two Rivers, WI $15 $24 ★ 5/5 112 min —
Aurora Medical Ctr Washington County Hartford, WI $15 $24 ★ 4/5 127 min —
Aurora Lakeland Medical Center Elkhorn, WI $15 $24 ★ 5/5 145 min —

CMS rating = overall hospital star rating (1–5); ER wait = median minutes in the emergency department; Readmit = 30-day readmission rate (lower is better) — all from Medicare’s Care Compare; “—” = not reported. Data last updated October 2026. Prices from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); Medicare benchmark from CMS PFS/CLFS/IPPS. Prices below 15% of the median are excluded as likely partial or mis-coded charges. Estimates — confirm with the hospital. Report an incorrect price.

What insurers pay for Basic metabolic panel

Median in-network negotiated rate by insurer, across hospitals that publish it (cheapest first). Your actual rate depends on your specific plan and deductible. Cash / self-pay for comparison: $94; Medicare pays $8.

InsurerHospitalsNegotiated median
Tricare / VA 465
$8
$8 – $110
Medicare 609
$8
$8 – $72
Medicaid 384
$8
$5 – $62
UnitedHealthcare 1630
$9
$7 – $158
Independent Health 51
$9
$7 – $9
Univera 16
$9
$7 – $13
Amerigroup 181
$9
$5 – $33
Devoted Health 258
$9
$8 – $10
Highmark 133
$9
$6 – $39
Molina Healthcare 603
$9
$7 – $75
AmeriHealth 254
$10
$8 – $77
Bright Health 66
$10
$8 – $18
Centene / Ambetter 861
$10
$8 – $254
Humana 1134
$11
$8 – $121
EmblemHealth 75
$11
$7 – $88
Oscar Health 232
$14
$8 – $88
Anthem 639
$15
$7 – $114
MVP Health Care 82
$15
$7 – $78
Geisinger 67
$15
$8 – $55
Kaiser Permanente 233
$15
$7 – $225
UPMC Health Plan 102
$16
$8 – $60
SelectHealth 48
$16
$8 – $112
UCare 67
$17
$8 – $124
Blue Cross Blue Shield 1390
$18
$8 – $188
Priority Health 59
$22
$6 – $128
Aetna 1506
$24
$8 – $235
Medica 248
$24
$9 – $195
Cigna 1266
$24
$8 – $244
Health Net 324
$28
$8 – $659
Harvard Pilgrim 58
$34
$8 – $88
Workers' Comp / No-Fault 157
$47
$11 – $313
HealthPartners 277
$49
$9 – $181
Security Health Plan 55
$59
$8 – $141
Sanford Health Plan 71
$93
$8 – $153
Coventry 172
$99
$8 – $275
MultiPlan / PHCS network 913
$136
$21 – $569
Healthcare Highways 51
$185
$25 – $570
AvMed 63
$260
$14 – $631

Negotiated rates are from hospitals’ machine-readable files (45 CFR §180); payer names are normalized to major brands, so a brand may span several plans. Estimates — confirm with your insurer.

Where it’s cheapest

StateMedian cash
Maryland$32
Rhode Island$35
New Jersey$35
Tennessee$48
Oklahoma$50
Idaho$52

Prices by city

Prices by state

Doctors who perform this

Clinicians who reported the most Medicare volume for this service. This reflects Original Medicare activity only and is a volume signal, not a quality ranking.

Does Medicare cover Basic metabolic panel?

Yes — Medicare generally covers Basic metabolic panel. It is typically an outpatient service under Medicare Part B, with a Medicare-approved amount of about $8. After your annual Part B deductible, you typically owe the 20% coinsurance — roughly $2 — unless a Medicare Advantage or supplemental (Medigap) plan covers it.

General guidance from Medicare’s national rates — your actual coverage and share depend on medical necessity, your plan, and where the service is performed. Confirm with Medicare or your plan.

About these prices

Based on prices published by 2240 US hospitals across 52 states, the typical (median) cash price is $94, versus a chargemaster (list) price around $156, a median insurer-negotiated rate of $21, a Medicare rate of about $8. Most cash prices fall between $26 and $271 — a wide spread, which is exactly why comparing hospitals pays off.

How to save

  • Ask each hospital for its cash / self-pay price — for shoppable services it is often far below the list price.
  • Compare several nearby hospitals; prices for the same service can differ severalfold.
  • Request a written estimate and the billing code (CPT/DRG) before scheduling.
  • Use the Medicare benchmark above to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
  • If you are uninsured, ask about financial assistance or prompt-pay discounts.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Basic metabolic panel cost without insurance?
The median cash (self-pay) price across 2240 US hospitals is $94. Most hospitals fall between $26 and $271. Prices vary widely between hospitals, so it pays to compare before you book.
Does Medicare cover Basic metabolic panel?
Yes — it is generally covered under Medicare Part B as an outpatient service (Medicare-approved amount about $8). After your Part B deductible you typically owe 20% coinsurance, unless a Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan covers it.
What does Medicare pay for Basic metabolic panel?
Medicare pays about $8. We show this as a benchmark — a fair cash price is often within a few multiples of the Medicare rate.
Why do Basic metabolic panel prices vary between hospitals?
Hospitals set their own chargemaster and cash prices and negotiate different rates with each insurer, so two hospitals in the same area can charge very differently for the same service.
Is the cash price lower than using insurance?
Sometimes. If you are uninsured or have a high deductible, the cash/self-pay price can be lower than the insurer-negotiated rate — ask the hospital for both.

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