Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Kansas Medical Center Llc
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $4
- Cash Discount Price: $33
- 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 | $2 | 51% |
| Medadv_Wellcare | $4 | 101% |
| Indian Health | $4 | 101% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4 - $9 | 101% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $4 | 101% |
| Humana | $4 | 101% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $4 | 101% |
| Three_Rivers | $8 | 203% |
| Aetna | $12 | 304% |
| Wppa | $22 | 557% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure at Kansas Medical Center Llc in Andover, the cash median price is $33.00, which is significantly lower than the facility's gross charge of $55.00. While the facility's negotiated rates with major payers like United and Aetna range from $4.00 to $12.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective if their insurance allowed amount exceeds $33.00. It is important to note that the facility's negotiated rates are generally higher than the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures, so patients should explicitly ask for "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling to ensure they receive the lowest possible rate.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a baseline of $3.95 for this service. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average comparisons, the Medicare rate serves as a critical reference point to understand the markup on commercial charges. Patients should be aware that while the No Surprises Act protects against balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, unexpected charges can still occur if ancillary services like lab tests are billed separately. To avoid errors, consumers should request a full itemized bill before paying, ensuring that all charges are accurate and that no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the final invoice.