CMS Price Transparency Data

Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)

Facility: Ochsner Choctaw General

Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)

Factual Cost Summary (Answer Capsule)

CPT Billing Code: 84520
Insurance Median: $11
Cash Discount Price: $35
vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.78x Medicare

The contracted insurance negotiated median rate for a Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney) at Ochsner Choctaw General is $11. If you are paying out-of-pocket or uninsured, the self-pay cash discount rate is $35. Compared to the federal Medicare reimbursement reference rate of $3.95, this hospital’s rate is 2.78x the Medicare baseline. Located in 401 Vanity Fair Lane, Po Box 618, Butler, AL.

Cash / Self-Pay

$35

Average discount available for prompt cash payment at this facility.

Insurance Median

$11

Median negotiated contract rate across all mapped commercial carriers.

Medicare Reference Rate

$3.95

Standard federal government reimbursement rate for this code.

Visual Cost Comparison vs. Medicare

Medicare Reference Baseline: $3.95 (100%)

Cash / Self-Pay: $35 (886%)

Insurance Median: $11 (278%)

Cash: $35 (886% of Medicare)

Ins. Median: $11 (278% of Medicare)

Understanding this gauge: We use the federal Medicare rate of $3.95 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 278% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 178%). 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
UnitedHealthcare	$2 - $25	51%
Blue Cross Blue Shield	$3 - $15	76%
Humana	$3 - $21	76%
Cigna	$4 - $25	101%
Magnolia Health Plan – Wellcare By All Well Of Mississippi	$4 - $21	101%
Medicaid / KanCare	$4	101%
Medicare (plans)	$4 - $24	101%
Primewell Health Services Commercial Exchange Plan	$4 - $31	101%
Primewell Health Services – Commercial	$4 - $31	101%
Shared Health Mississippi	$4 - $22	101%
Cor Vel	$5 - $37	127%
Prime Health Services Ppo	$5 - $37	127%
Prime Health Services Ppo -Workers Comp	$5 - $37	127%
Aetna	$7 - $30	177%
Zelis	$9 - $34	228%
Claritev D/B/A Multiplan/Phcs/American Life Care	$13 - $34	329%
Select Administrative Services Network	$15 - $32	380%
Ambetter / Centene	$21	532%

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 $35.
Request and sign a "Waiver of Insurance Submission" to prevent automatic billing.
Verify CPT Code matches exactly: 84520.

Insurance In-Network Protection Plan

Contact your insurance company to confirm Ochsner Choctaw General is fully in-network.
Ask your insurer if "Prior Authorization" is required for CPT code 84520.
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.