Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $4
- Cash Discount Price: Unavailable
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Smarthealth | $1 - $6 | 25% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $4 - $11 | 101% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $4 | 101% |
| Via Christi Research | $4 | 101% |
| Medicare (plans) | $4 | 101% |
| Humana | $4 | 101% |
| Va | $4 | 101% |
| Vc Hope | $4 | 101% |
| Saint Lukes Health Systems | $4 | 101% |
| Corizon | $5 | 127% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $7 | 177% |
| Aetna | $12 | 304% |
| Coventry City Of Wichita | $16 | 405% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
This blood test for urea nitrogen (BUN) at Via Christi Hospital Wichita St Teresa, Inc. has a negotiated rate of $4.00, which aligns closely with the state of Kansas average of $4.00 and the national average of $3.95. While the facility is an in-network provider for many major payers including Medicare, UnitedHealthcare, and Blue Cross Blue Shield, the negotiated rate does not exceed the state average. For patients with high-deductible plans, the cash price may be lower than the insurance negotiated rate, making it financially advantageous to pay out-of-pocket if the facility offers a prompt-pay discount. It is important to verify the specific cash price and any self-pay or prompt-pay incentives directly with the hospital before scheduling, as these upfront payment options can significantly reduce the final cost.
The facility's pricing is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a fixed rate of $3.95 for this service. The negotiated rate of $4.00 represents a minimal increase over the Medicare baseline, indicating a fair markup that is well within the range of typical commercial rates. Since this is a routine laboratory test, there is a low risk of unexpected balance billing for out-of-network ancillary services, though patients should still review their itemized bill to ensure no unbundled charges or services not rendered are included. To maximize savings, consumers should request a full itemized CPT-coded bill prior to payment and confirm their deductible status, as paying the negotiated rate may be unnecessary if the patient has not yet met their out-of-pocket threshold.