Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $76
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.52x 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 $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 452% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 352%). 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 - $128 | 101% |
| Aetna | $17 | 101% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $17 - $149 | 101% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $31 - $163 | 185% |
| Medica | $134 - $140 | 798% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test procedure (CPT 84443) at the Kansas City Orthopaedic Institute in Leawood, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $17 to $163 across five major payers, with a median negotiated amount of $76.00. This facility is owned by physicians and operates as an acute care hospital. While the data does not provide specific cash or median paid figures for this service, patients should be aware that cash-pay options can sometimes result in lower out-of-pocket costs if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. Since the facility is a physician-owned entity, it is advisable to contact them directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront incentives can significantly reduce the final bill by bypassing administrative claim processing fees.
When evaluating the cost of this service, it is important to compare rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the facility's full chargemaster list. The Medicare amount for this code is $16.80, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of delivery. Although the provided data does not include specific state or county average figures for comparison, the significant difference between the Medicare rate and the facility's negotiated rates highlights the impact of commercial contract dynamics. Patients should avoid accepting summary bills as final invoices and instead request a detailed, itemized statement to ensure no errors or unbundled charges are included. If a balance bill arises from an out-of-network service at this in-network facility, patients are protected under the No Surprises Act and should dispute the bill with their insurer rather than paying immediately.