Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Ellinwood District Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $65
- Cash Discount Price: $78
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 3.87x 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 $16.8 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 387% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 287%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $48 - $81 | 286% |
| Humana | $48 - $81 | 286% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $48 - $81 | 286% |
| Cigna | $48 - $81 | 286% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $48 - $81 | 286% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Ellinwood District Hospital in Kansas, the cash price is $78.00, which is notably lower than the facility's negotiated rates of $65.00 and the median paid amount of $55.00 across five major payers including Aetna, Humana, and UnitedHealthcare. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government district, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying the cash price directly more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates often exceed the cash rate. Additionally, the facility offers a prompt-pay discount for upfront payment, which can further reduce the final bill if requested before check-in.
When evaluating costs, it is important to compare these figures against the Medicare benchmark of $16.80, which serves as the objective baseline for true healthcare delivery costs. The cash price of $78.00 represents a significant markup over the Medicare rate, illustrating how commercial pricing structures can differ substantially from federal standards. To ensure you are not overpaying, always request an itemized bill before paying, as summary invoices can obscure individual charges. If you receive a balance bill for out-of-network services, remember that the No Surprises Act protects you from paying the difference between the provider's full charge and your insurance allowed amount for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities.