Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Wesley Medical Center
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $37
- Cash Discount Price: $957
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.20x 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 220% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 120%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $16 - $342 | 95% |
| Amerigroup | $16 | 95% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $16 | 95% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $16 | 95% |
| Coventry Health Care | $17 | 101% |
| Devoted Health | $17 | 101% |
| Humana | $17 | 101% |
| United | $17 - $431 | 101% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $18 - $172 | 107% |
| Triwest Health Alliance | $18 | 107% |
| Correct Care Solutions | $25 | 149% |
| First Health | $36 - $441 | 214% |
| Multiplan | $37 - $861 | 220% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $41 | 244% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $166 - $478 | 988% |
| Wppa | $167 | 994% |
| Medical Associates Health Plan | $181 | 1077% |
| Preferred Health Choices | $181 | 1077% |
| Spirit Aerosystems | $306 | 1821% |
| Triwest Healthcare Alliance | $622 | 3702% |
| Usa Managed Care | $813 | 4839% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, thyroid (TSH) procedure at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS, the cash price is $957.00, which matches the facility's cash median. This rate is significantly higher than the state average, reflecting a markup of 2.2 times the Medicare benchmark of $16.80. While commercial insurance plans like Aetna and Humana negotiate rates ranging from $16 to $431, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price for patients with high-deductible plans. In such cases, paying the cash rate directly can be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, provided the patient's deductible has not been met. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling, as some in-network contracts may result in higher out-of-pocket costs than the cash option.
To ensure you receive the most accurate pricing, it is crucial to request an itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice that obscures individual charges. Hospitals may inflate their chargemaster lists to make discounts appear larger, so comparing your final rate directly to the Medicare benchmark provides a clearer picture of the true cost. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront. These discounts bypass administrative fees and provide immediate liquidity to the facility, often resulting in a lower final price than the standard cash rate. Always confirm whether a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" classification is available before check-in to avoid automatic claims submission that could void these savings.