Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: University Of Kansas Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $46
- Cash Discount Price: $14
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.65x 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 1165% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1065%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Larned State Hospital [503200090] | $6 - $35 | 152% |
| Alt Carelon Behavioral Health [503200905] | $10 - $60 | 253% |
| Health Plan Inc [503999941] | $10 - $56 | 253% |
| Accarent Health [503999034] | $10 - $60 | 253% |
| Inter-Americas Insurance [503999032] | $13 - $72 | 329% |
| Healthlink [503200007] | $13 - $88 | 329% |
| Cerner [503200038] | $13 - $72 | 329% |
| Allied National [503999937] | $13 - $71 | 329% |
| Geha [503200036] | $13 - $72 | 329% |
| Php [503200005] | $13 - $88 | 329% |
| Med-Pay [503200040] | $13 - $72 | 329% |
| Alt Wppa [5032000964] | $13 - $72 | 329% |
| Cigna | $13 - $95 | 329% |
| First Health [5032000110] | $14 - $78 | 354% |
| Aha-Healthcare Preferred [503200050] | $14 - $78 | 354% |
| Consolidated Billing [50311256] | $15 - $83 | 380% |
| Correct Care Solutions [50311253] | $15 - $83 | 380% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $15 - $91 | 380% |
| Ascension Living Hope [503201517] | $15 - $83 | 380% |
| Coeur Plan Services [503301517] | $15 - $83 | 380% |
| Alt Lucent Health Solutions [503202603] | $16 - $91 | 405% |
| Alt Lineco [5032000976] | $16 - $91 | 405% |
| Empire Plan/Nyship [503200705] | $16 - $91 | 405% |
| Orscheln Industries [503201608] | $16 - $89 | 405% |
| Century Health Solutions [503200054] | $17 - $95 | 430% |
| Quiktrip [5032000412] | $17 - $95 | 430% |
| Point Comfort Underwriters [503200018] | $17 - $95 | 430% |
| Wppa [503200056] | $18 - $100 | 456% |
| Meritain Health [503200039] | $18 - $100 | 456% |
| Employers Health Network [503999025] | $19 - $107 | 481% |
| Three Rivers Provider Network [503999029] | $19 - $107 | 481% |
| Plan Care America [503999026] | $19 - $107 | 481% |
| Sanford Health Plan [503999027] | $19 - $107 | 481% |
| Usa Managed Care [503999030] | $19 - $107 | 481% |
| Workers Comp [503999901] | $20 - $113 | 506% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For patients paying out of pocket, the most important fact to know is that the cash price for this blood test procedure is $14, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $70. This cash rate is also notably below the state average of $46 and the national median of $14, meaning self-pay patients can expect to pay the lowest possible amount for this service. Because the cash price is so low, it is generally better for patients with high-deductible plans to pay directly rather than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates paid by insurers often exceed this cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures.
The facility, University Of Kansas Hospital, has a high 5-star rating and serves a diverse payer base where negotiated rates vary widely, ranging from a low of $6 to a high of $107 depending on the insurance plan. While many commercial payers negotiate rates well above the cash price—for example, some plans pay up to $107 while others pay as low as $6—the actual amount a patient receives depends on their specific coverage and deductible status. Patients should always verify their plan's allowed amount before scheduling and ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, as paying the cash rate upfront can sometimes result in a lower final bill than what insurance would allow.