Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Wesley Medical Center
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $6
- Cash Discount Price: $261
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 1.52x 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 |
|---|---|---|
| United | $2 - $230 | 51% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $2 - $92 | 51% |
| Wppa | $2 - $89 | 51% |
| Medical Associates Health Plan | $2 - $96 | 51% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $2 - $255 | 51% |
| Preferred Health Choices | $2 - $96 | 51% |
| Humana | $4 | 101% |
| Coventry Health Care | $4 | 101% |
| Devoted Health | $4 | 101% |
| Aetna | $4 - $182 | 101% |
| Spirit Aerosystems | $4 - $163 | 101% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4 | 101% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $4 | 101% |
| Triwest Health Alliance | $4 | 101% |
| Amerigroup | $4 | 101% |
| First Health | $6 - $235 | 152% |
| Correct Care Solutions | $6 | 152% |
| Multiplan | $8 - $459 | 203% |
| Triwest Healthcare Alliance | $8 - $332 | 203% |
| Usa Managed Care | $10 - $434 | 253% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $10 | 253% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test code 84520 (urea nitrogen/BUN) at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, KS, the cash price is $261.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate. This cash price is significantly higher than the state average, which is approximately 1.5 times the Medicare benchmark of $3.95. While many insurance plans in Kansas have negotiated rates ranging from $2 to $459, the cash price remains the lowest fixed amount available for this service. Patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find paying the full cash price upfront more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as commercial negotiated rates often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract dynamics.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is crucial to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if paid in full within a short window. If you receive a surprise bill from an out-of-network provider, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. Always verify your specific plan details and deductible status before scheduling, and never sign away your rights to dispute out-of-network charges without fully understanding the terms.