Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Stormont Vail Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $7
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.77x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Ambetter / Centene | $4 | 101% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4 - $8 | 101% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4 | 101% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test code 84520 at Stormont Vail Hospital in Topeka, KS, the facility's negotiated rate is $7.00, which is significantly lower than the state average of $3.95. While the hospital's median paid amount is $2,566.00, this figure reflects the commercial insurance negotiated rates rather than the cash price. Because the facility's negotiated rate is already below the state average, patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying cash directly could result in a lower out-of-pocket cost, provided the facility offers a self-pay or prompt-pay discount. It is important to verify these cash rates directly with the hospital before scheduling, as commercial insurance contracts often include administrative overhead that inflates the baseline price compared to direct patient payment.
This service is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a fixed reimbursement rate of $3.95 for this procedure. The facility's negotiated rate of $7.00 represents a markup of 1.8 times the Medicare amount, indicating the standard pricing structure for in-network commercial payers. Patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services are not covered under the contract. To ensure transparency, consumers should request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through formal written disputes. Always confirm the specific self-pay or prompt-pay discount terms with the billing department prior to check-in to avoid unexpected costs.