Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Jewell County Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $55
- Cash Discount Price: $43
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 13.92x 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 1392% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1292%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Rural Carriers - All Plans | $49 | 1241% |
| Aetna | $52 | 1316% |
| Meritain - All Plans | $52 | 1316% |
| Cigna | $55 | 1392% |
| First Health - All Plans | $55 | 1392% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $55 | 1392% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $55 | 1392% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test at Jewell County Hospital in Mankato, KS, the facility's cash median price is $43.00, which is lower than the state average of $55.00. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients with high-deductible plans may find paying out-of-pocket cheaper if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash price. Although the facility offers a median negotiated rate of $55.00 to all seven payers listed, including Aetna, Cigna, and UnitedHealthcare, patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling. It is important to note that while the facility is in-network for these carriers, the cash price remains the most transparent baseline for comparison against state averages.
To maximize savings, patients should inquire about prompt-pay discounts, which can reduce the bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payment within 30 days. This discount bypasses the administrative costs of claims processing and provides immediate liquidity to the hospital. Additionally, since the Medicare amount for this procedure is only $3.95, the commercial negotiated rates represent a significant markup; fair pricing is typically defined as 120% to 150% of the Medicare rate, whereas commercial rates often average 200% to 300%. Consumers are advised to request a full itemized bill before paying to ensure no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, and to avoid signing away rights to dispute balance billing without reviewing the terms carefully.