Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)

For the CPT code 84520 (Blood test, urea nitrogen), Mercy Specialty Hospital Southeast Kansas lists a gross charge of $80.00, with a cash median price of $52.00. This cash rate is significantly lower than the facility's negotiated rates, which range from $3 to $76 depending on the insurance carrier. While the facility's cash price is competitive, it is important to note that commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash median of $52.00 upfront more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in higher out-of-pocket expenses if the deductible has not been met or if the negotiated rate for their specific plan is above the cash price.

The facility's pricing is benchmarked against Medicare, which sets a fixed rate of $3.95 for this service. The cash median of $52.00 represents a markup of approximately 1,315% over the Medicare amount, reflecting the complexity of commercial billing and local cost factors. To minimize costs, patients should inquire directly with the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment. Additionally, if a patient receives care from an out-of-network provider at this facility, they may be subject to balance billing for the difference between the negotiated rate and the amount paid by their insurer; however, the No Surprises Act protects patients from such surprise bills for emergency and non-emergency services at in-network facilities.