Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Centura St. Catherine-Dodge City
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $69
- Cash Discount Price: $42
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.11x 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 411% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 311%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna | $17 | 101% |
| Medicare (plans) | $17 | 101% |
| Kaiser | $17 | 101% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $17 - $52 | 101% |
| Aetna | $17 - $84 | 101% |
| Kansas Health | $17 | 101% |
| Humana | $17 | 101% |
| Centura Employee Plan | $21 | 125% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $69 | 411% |
| Wpaa | $74 | 440% |
| Christian Health Aid | $84 | 500% |
| Multiplan | $84 - $95 | 500% |
| Health Partners Of Kansas | $95 | 565% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For CPT code 84443, a thyroid blood test (TSH), the facility's cash median price is $42.00, which is significantly lower than the state of Kansas average of $69.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like Aetna and Multiplan range from $17 to $95, the cash price remains the most transparent baseline for patients. It is important to note that for individuals with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $42.00 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated allowed amounts often exceed the cash rate. Patients should verify their specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate without meeting the deductible can result in higher out-of-pocket costs than paying cash directly.
To ensure you are not overcharged, it is recommended to request a detailed, itemized bill rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Additionally, if you receive a balance bill for out-of-network ancillary services, you may be protected under the No Surprises Act, which bans balance billing for emergency and non-emergency care at in-network facilities. Before finalizing payment, consider asking the hospital about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full within 30 days, effectively bypassing administrative fees and insurance processing delays.