Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Grisell Memorial Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $14
- Cash Discount Price: $25
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.54x 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.
Elevated Commercial Rate Alert (Value-Gap)
The negotiated rate at this facility is 354% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 254%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| UnitedHealthcare | $1 - $20 | 25% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $8 | 203% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $26 | 658% |
| Humana | $26 | 658% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test code 84520 at Grisell Memorial Hospital in Ransom, Kansas, the cash median price is $25.00, which is slightly lower than the facility's negotiated rate of $23.00 paid by insurers. This specific test, which measures urea nitrogen (BUN) to assess kidney function, carries a Medicare benchmark of $3.95. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a Government Hospital District, the cash price remains competitive relative to the national average for this service. Patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash median of $25.00 more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as commercial negotiated rates often exceed cash prices due to administrative overhead and contract structures.
To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, it is important to request an itemized billing audit before finalizing payment, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors such as unbundled codes or services not rendered. Since the facility is in-network for UnitedHealthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicaid/KanCare, and Humana, you should verify your specific plan's deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated amount may not be necessary if your deductible has already been met. Additionally, ask the billing department about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the total cost by 20% to 50% if you settle the bill upfront, bypassing the costly claims processing cycle that inflates insurance payments.