Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: University Of Kansas Health System - St Francis Campus
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $28
- Cash Discount Price: $20
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.09x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 709% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 609%). Patients with high-deductible plans or out-of-network benefits may face excessive out-of-pocket costs.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Web Tpa [2115] | $28 | 709% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $28 | 709% |
| Black Lung [6055] | $28 | 709% |
| Healthcare Highways [2210] | $28 | 709% |
| Hooray Health [8000] | $28 | 709% |
| Aetna | $28 | 709% |
| Lucent Health [6000] | $28 | 709% |
| Oncology Patient Assistance Programs [2295] | $28 | 709% |
| Department Of Corrections [1340] | $34 | 861% |
| American Postal Workers Union [1070] | $39 | 987% |
| National Association Of Letter Carriers [1695] | $39 | 987% |
| Healthpartners [1500] | $39 | 987% |
| Cigna | $39 | 987% |
| Humana | $40 | 1013% |
| First Health [1375] | $53 | 1342% |
| Multiplan [1680] | $53 | 1342% |
| American Healthcare [1055] | $53 | 1342% |
| Administrative Concepts [1005] | $53 | 1342% |
| Coventry Healthcare [1320] | $56 | 1418% |
| Ks Disability Determination [6090] | $68 | 1722% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure at the University of Kansas Health System - St Francis Campus, the facility's cash price of $20.00 is significantly lower than the median negotiated rate of $28.00 paid by insurance plans. While the facility's cash rate is also lower than the state average of $28.00, patients with high-deductible plans should consider paying cash upfront, as this avoids the administrative fees and higher negotiated rates often associated with insurance billing. To secure the lowest possible cost, patients should explicitly ask the registration desk about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final bill.
The facility's negotiated rates range from $28.00 to $68.00 depending on the specific insurance carrier, with the lowest rates starting at $28.00 for plans like Web TPA and Blue Cross Blue Shield. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects patients from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients should still request an itemized bill to verify that all charges are accurate and that no unbundled codes or services not rendered have been included. By comparing the facility's rates directly to the Medicare benchmark of $3.95, patients can see that the commercial negotiated rates represent a substantial markup, making it essential to verify the exact allowed amount for their specific plan before receiving care.