Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Saint John Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $4
- Cash Discount Price: $3
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.01x 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 $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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Superior Select | $4 | 101% |
| Medicare (plans) | $4 | 101% |
| Aetna | $4 - $7 | 101% |
| Midland Care Connection | $4 | 101% |
| Celtic | $4 - $12 | 101% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4 - $8 | 101% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $4 | 101% |
| Tricare | $4 | 101% |
| Cigna | $4 | 101% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4 - $6 | 101% |
| Healthy Blue | $4 | 101% |
| Well Path | $6 | 152% |
| Centurion | $6 | 152% |
| Naphcare | $6 | 152% |
| Employer Direct Healthcare | $6 | 152% |
| Corizon | $6 | 152% |
| Comp Alliance Workers Comp | $8 | 203% |
| Oha Networks | $9 | 228% |
| Worker Compensation | $9 | 228% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure at Saint John Hospital in Leavenworth, KS, the cash median price is $3.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $34.00. While the hospital's negotiated rates with insurance payers range from $4.00 to $7.00, these amounts are generally higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash rate of $3.00 directly, as the insurance negotiated rates often exceed this amount. It is important to verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying out-of-pocket might result in immediate savings if your insurance would otherwise cover a higher negotiated fee.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a fixed rate of $3.95 for this service. The cash price of $3.00 is below the Medicare benchmark, suggesting a lower cost basis for direct payment. Commercial negotiated rates, which average between 200% and 300% of Medicare rates, are typically higher than fair pricing standards of 120% to 150% of Medicare. To minimize costs, patients should request a prompt-pay discount or self-pay classification before check-in, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50%. Additionally, always demand an itemized bill to review specific CPT codes and avoid summary bills that may obscure errors or unbundled charges, ensuring you are only paying for services actually rendered.