CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, thyroid (TSH)

Facility: Medical West, An Affiliate of UAB Health System

Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 84443
Insurance Median: $97
Cash Discount Price: $99
vs. Medicare Baseline: 5.77x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, thyroid (TSH) at Medical West, An Affiliate of UAB Health System is $97. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $99. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $16.8, this hospital’s rate is 5.77x the Medicare baseline. Located in 995 9Th Avenue Southwest, Bessemer, AL.

Cash / Self-Pay

$99

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$97

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$16.8

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $16.8 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $99 (589%)

Insurance Median: $97 (577%)

Cash: $99 (589% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $97 (577% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $16.8 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 577% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 477%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.

Consult Patient Advocate

Out-of-Pocket Cost Estimator

Estimate whether it is more economical to use your insurance or pay the upfront self-pay cash rate.

Billing Status

Remaining Deductible ($)

Your Coinsurance Rate (%)

Input your details and click calculate to compare out-of-pocket costs.

Commercial Insurance Negotiated Rates

Negotiated contract ranges established by major commercial carriers at this facility.

Carrier / Plan Group	Contract Rate Range	vs. Medicare Reference
Cigna	$8 - $145	48%
Aetna	$17 - $140	101%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$17	101%
Cooper Green	$17	101%
Jefferson County Sheriff	$17	101%
Triwest	$17	101%
United Mine Workers	$17	101%
UnitedHealthcare	$17 - $18	101%
Viva	$17 - $100	101%
Humana	$18 - $170	107%
Phcs	$20 - $140	119%
Beech Street	$21 - $140	125%
One Health Plan	$22 - $130	131%
Ambetter / Centene	$23	137%
Geha	$24 - $140	143%
Healthchoice	$24 - $140	143%
Alamed	$27 - $157	161%
Construction Claims Management	$28 - $162	167%
Corvel	$28 - $180	167%
Multiplan	$28 - $164	167%
Novanet	$28 - $167	167%
Department Of Labor	$30 - $174	179%
Heritage Summit Health	$30 - $174	179%
Pnoa	$31 - $180	185%
Three Rivers	$31 - $180	185%

Self-Pay Upfront Cash Action Plan

Request a "Self-Pay classification" with the billing desk before receiving care.
Ask for a written "Prompt-Pay Discount" agreement quoting the price of $99.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 84443.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Medical West, An Affiliate of UAB Health System is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 84443.
Confirm the specific physician or imaging center is also in-network (not just the hospital building).
Audit your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) against the final itemized hospital invoice.