Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $4
- Cash Discount Price: $8
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $2 - $4 | 51% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4 - $6 | 101% |
| Aetna | $4 - $8 | 101% |
| Triwest | $4 | 101% |
| Cigna | $7 | 177% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for urea nitrogen (BUN) at Kansas Surgery & Recovery Center in Wichita, KS, the cash median price is $8.00, which matches the facility's gross charge. This rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $3.95, reflecting the standard markup found in commercial billing. While the facility offers a negotiated rate of $4.00 to in-network payers like UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Aetna, Triwest, and Cigna, patients should be aware that these insurance rates often exceed the cash price. If you have a high-deductible plan or have already met your deductible, paying the cash price of $8.00 directly may result in lower out-of-pocket costs compared to the insurance negotiated rate, provided you do not incur additional balance billing from the insurer.
To maximize savings, it is crucial to ask the billing department about "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling your visit, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%. Additionally, since the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, you can avoid unexpected charges if the insurance company does not cover the full negotiated amount. Always request an itemized bill before paying to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, and remember that the facility's voluntary non-profit status does not guarantee lower rates than the cash option.