Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Pratt Regional Medical Center
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $32
- Cash Discount Price: $26
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.10x 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 810% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 710%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Christian Health Aid | $28 | 709% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $31 - $38 | 785% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $31 | 785% |
| Aetna | $33 | 835% |
| Choicecare | $37 | 937% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test for urea nitrogen (BUN) at Pratt Regional Medical Center in Pratt, KS, the cash median price is $26.00, which is lower than the facility's gross charge of $37.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like UnitedHealthcare and Aetna range from $31.00 to $38.00, the cash price may be a more cost-effective option for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, as the insurance negotiated rates exceed the cash price. It is important to note that commercial rates often include administrative overhead and contract dynamics that can make them higher than the direct cash price, so patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling to ensure they are receiving the lowest possible rate.
When evaluating the cost of this service, it is essential to compare the facility's pricing against objective benchmarks rather than the inflated chargemaster list. The Medicare amount for this procedure is $3.95, and the facility's cash rate of $26.00 represents an 8.1% increase over the Medicare benchmark. Since Medicare rates serve as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care, patients should ignore any "savings" advertised off the full list price and instead focus on whether the negotiated or cash rates align with the 120% to 150% of Medicare range often considered fair. If a patient receives an itemized bill that includes unexpected charges or broad category summaries, they should request a full line-by-line audit to identify errors, unbundled codes, or services not rendered, as over 80%