Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Lane County Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $105
- Cash Discount Price: $105
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.25x 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 625% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 525%). 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 | $94 - $105 | 560% |
| Aetna | $94 - $100 | 560% |
| Healthy Blue Mcr Adv - All Other Plans | $105 | 625% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid | $105 | 625% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $105 - $116 | 625% |
| Wppa Providers-All Plans | $158 | 940% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Lane County Hospital in Dighton, Kansas, the cash price is $105.00, which matches the facility's negotiated rate and the median amount paid by UnitedHealthcare and Aetna plans. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a government hospital district, the cash price is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $16.80, reflecting a markup common in commercial billing. Patients should be aware that while insurance contracts often set a ceiling on what is allowed, the actual amount paid can vary; in this case, the negotiated rate aligns closely with the cash price, meaning there may be little financial advantage to paying out-of-pocket unless the patient has a high deductible and can secure a prompt-pay discount before services are rendered.
It is important to note that the facility's pricing does not appear to deviate significantly from the specific payer ranges provided, with most commercial plans falling between $94 and $116. Since the facility is in-network for the listed payers, balance billing for this specific service is unlikely under the No Surprises Act, though patients should still verify if any ancillary services or emergency physicians involved in the visit are out-of-network. To ensure you are receiving the best possible rate, we recommend contacting the hospital directly to confirm their self-pay or prompt-pay discount policies before scheduling, as these upfront discounts can sometimes reduce the final bill further than the standard negotiated amount. Always request a full itemized bill after the procedure to review every charge and ensure accuracy before payment.