Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Rawlins County Health Center
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $113
- Cash Discount Price: $121
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.73x 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 673% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 573%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $44 | 262% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $113 - $135 | 673% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Rawlins County Health Center in Atwood, Kansas, the cash price is $121, which is $12.20 higher than the state average. While the facility's negotiated rate for UnitedHealthcare plans is $113, this amount is still $1.80 above the state average, suggesting that paying cash directly might result in a lower out-of-pocket cost for patients with high-deductible plans who have not yet met their insurance thresholds. It is important to note that commercial insurance rates often include administrative overhead and contract markups that can exceed the true cost of care, making direct payment a viable option for price-sensitive patients.
Before finalizing any payment, you should request a full itemized bill to ensure there are no unbundled charges or services not rendered, as summary bills often obscure individual line items. Additionally, ask the billing department about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total amount owed by 20% to 50% if paid in full upfront, effectively bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims. Since the Medicare benchmark for this service is $16.80, the facility's negotiated rate of $113 represents a significant markup compared to the federal baseline, further highlighting the potential savings available through cash payment or verified self-pay discounts.