Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Ascension Via Christi Hospitals Wichita, Inc.
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $17
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.01x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Smarthealth | $15 - $24 | 89% |
| Va | $17 | 101% |
| Via Christi Research | $17 | 101% |
| Vc Hope | $17 | 101% |
| Medicare (plans) | $17 | 101% |
| Humana | $17 | 101% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $17 | 101% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $17 | 101% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $17 - $47 | 101% |
| Corizon | $21 | 125% |
| Mdsave | $25 | 149% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $29 | 173% |
| Aetna | $53 | 315% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $68 | 405% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For CPT code 84443, a blood test for thyroid function (TSH), the facility's negotiated rates range from $15 to $68 depending on the insurance carrier, with a median negotiated amount of $17.00. This price is consistent with the Medicare benchmark of $16.80, indicating that the facility is pricing at the federal cost baseline rather than applying a commercial markup. While some commercial payers like UnitedHealthcare have negotiated rates as high as $53, the overall data reflects a pricing structure that aligns closely with the true cost of delivery. For patients with high-deductible plans, the cash price may offer a lower out-of-pocket cost if the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price, though the facility's cash median is not currently listed.
Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as in-network rates vary significantly by carrier. It is important to note that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network providers at in-network facilities, patients should still request a detailed, itemized bill to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included. Additionally, asking about self-pay or prompt-pay discounts prior to check-in can help patients avoid unexpected costs, as hospitals often offer fee reductions for upfront payments that bypass the administrative overhead of insurance claims processing.