Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Nmc Health
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $106
- Cash Discount Price: $111
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.31x 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 $16.8 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 631% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 531%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $44 | 262% |
| Aetna | $53 - $138 | 315% |
| Wppa | $83 - $92 | 494% |
| Occunet | $91 - $101 | 542% |
| Samaritan Ministries International | $98 - $109 | 583% |
| Medincrease Health Plan | $98 - $109 | 583% |
| Prime Health Services | $113 - $126 | 673% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $136 - $151 | 810% |
| Cigna | $143 - $160 | 851% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Nmc Health in Newton, KS, the facility's cash price is $111.00, which is 6.3% higher than the Medicare benchmark of $16.80. While the facility offers a negotiated rate of $106.00, this amount is still significantly above the Medicare baseline and varies by insurer, ranging from $44 for Blue Cross Blue Shield to $160 for Cigna. Because commercial negotiated rates often include administrative overhead and can exceed cash prices, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying out-of-pocket cheaper if their insurance allowed amount surpasses the $111.00 cash rate. It is important to note that the cash price is not the same as the self-pay rate; patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront.
This service is part of a broader pricing landscape where commercial rates frequently diverge from federal benchmarks. The facility's negotiated rates for this procedure are notably higher than the Medicare amount, illustrating how administrative costs and contract dynamics inflate the final price for insured patients. To ensure you are not overpaying, we recommend requesting a detailed, itemized bill before payment to verify that no unbundled codes or services not rendered have been charged. If you receive a balance bill for out-of-network ancillary services, you may be entitled to protections under the No Surprises Act, which prevents providers from charging you the difference between their rate and your insurance's allowed amount for emergency or non-emergency care