Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Lmh
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $4
- Cash Discount Price: $30
- 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 $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 |
|---|---|---|
| Allwell | $4 | 101% |
| Aetna | $4 - $100 | 101% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4 - $46 | 101% |
| Cigna | $4 - $80 | 101% |
| Medicare (plans) | $4 | 101% |
| Humana | $4 | 101% |
| Haskell Indian Health Services | $4 | 101% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4 - $78 | 101% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $6 | 152% |
| Non Contracted | $96 | 2430% |
| First Health | $112 | 2835% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure, the facility's cash price of $30.00 is significantly lower than the Medicare benchmark of $3.95, which serves as the federal baseline for true healthcare costs. While commercial insurance plans like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare negotiate rates that can range from $4 to $112 depending on the specific plan, these negotiated amounts are often higher than the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the $30.00 cash rate directly, as this avoids the potential for balance billing if an out-of-network lab service is involved, and it bypasses the complex claims processing that can inflate commercial rates.
To ensure you are not overpaying, it is recommended to request a full itemized bill before finalizing payment, as summary invoices often obscure individual code costs and potential errors. Additionally, since this facility is a government-owned acute care hospital in Lawrence, KS, you should explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the $30.00 cash price by 20% to 50% if settled upfront. If you receive a bill that includes charges for services not rendered or unbundled components, you have the right to dispute the itemized audit formally in writing to avoid unnecessary debt.