Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Lmh
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $17
- Cash Discount Price: $85
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna | $5 - $355 | 30% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $6 - $230 | 36% |
| Non Contracted | $7 - $284 | 42% |
| Aetna | $7 - $295 | 42% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $8 - $26 | 48% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $8 - $361 | 48% |
| Medicare (plans) | $8 - $355 | 48% |
| Humana | $8 - $355 | 48% |
| Haskell Indian Health Services | $8 - $17 | 48% |
| First Health | $8 - $330 | 48% |
| Allwell | $9 - $17 | 54% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this thyroid blood test (CPT 84443), the facility's cash price of $85.00 is significantly lower than the negotiated rates charged by most major insurers, which range from $17.00 to $361.00 depending on the plan. While the cash rate is higher than the Medicare benchmark of $16.80, it remains substantially below the gross chargemaster price of $338.00. Patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find the $85.00 cash price more affordable than their specific insurance allowed amounts, which can exceed $200 for many payers. It is important to note that while the facility is a government-owned acute care hospital in Lawrence, KS, the negotiated rates for in-network plans often include administrative overhead that inflates the cost above the actual cash price.
To minimize out-of-pocket expenses, patients should explicitly ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%. If you are using insurance, be aware that the No Surprises Act protects you from balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, but you should still verify your specific plan's allowed amount, as some commercial rates may still exceed the cash price. Additionally, if you receive a large bill after care, request a full itemized audit to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors that can be corrected through a formal written dispute.