Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $4
- Cash Discount Price: $29
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| United Mine Workers Of America | $4 | 101% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4 | 101% |
| Aetna | $4 - $5 | 101% |
| Providrs Care Network | $4 | 101% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4 - $5 | 101% |
| Humana | $4 | 101% |
| Lantern Specialty Care | $6 | 152% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure, the Kansas Spine & Specialty Hospital, Llc in Wichita, KS, lists a cash median price of $29.00, which is notably lower than the facility's gross charge of $44.00. While the data does not provide a specific state or county average for comparison, the cash rate is significantly below the Medicare benchmark of $3.95 when adjusted for the facility's specific pricing structure, suggesting a potential discrepancy or a unique pricing model for this specific CPT code. Patients with high-deductible plans may find this cash price advantageous if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds $29.00, as paying out-of-pocket could result in immediate cost savings. It is important to verify the "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount status directly with the hospital before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final amount owed.
The facility's negotiated rates vary by payer, ranging from a median of $4.00 for United Mine Workers of America and Blue Cross Blue Shield to higher amounts for UnitedHealthcare and Aetna, reflecting the complex dynamics of commercial insurance contracts. Because these negotiated rates are often inflated by administrative processing costs and contract structures, they can sometimes exceed the cash price, making it financially prudent to explore paying directly. If you are billed for this service, you should request a full itemized CPT-coded bill to ensure no errors, double-billing, or unbundled charges are present, as over 80% of hospital bills contain inaccuracies. Furthermore, if you receive a balance bill for an out-of-network component, you may be entitled to protections under the No Surprises Act, which bans surprise billing for emergency