Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Nemaha Valley Community Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $10
- Cash Discount Price: $14
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 0.60x 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.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Humana | $2 - $54 | 12% |
| Celtic Comm Exch - All Plans | $2 - $60 | 12% |
| Aetna | $2 - $105 | 12% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $3 - $21 | 18% |
| Partners Direct Health - All Plans | $3 - $64 | 18% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $4 - $111 | 24% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $5 - $117 | 30% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $5 - $117 | 30% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for thyroid function (TSH) at Nemaha Valley Community Hospital in Seneca, KS, the facility's cash median rate is $14.00, which matches the median negotiated rate paid by insurance payers. This price point is notably lower than the Medicare benchmark of $16.80, indicating that the facility's pricing aligns closely with the federal government's cost-based standard for this service. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit, patients with high-deductible plans may find that paying the cash price directly is more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rates for commercial payers like Aetna and Humana often exceed the cash amount.
To maximize savings, patients should proactively request a "prompt-pay" discount, which typically offers a fee reduction of 20% to 50% for upfront payment, bypassing the administrative costs associated with insurance claims processing. It is crucial to ask for self-pay classification and prompt-pay rates before check-in and to sign a waiver of insurance submission to ensure the cash discount applies; waiting until after receiving a large post-insurance bill often results in the loss of these incentives. Additionally, since the No Surprises Act prohibits balance billing for out-of-network services at in-network facilities, patients can confidently rely on the facility's negotiated rates without fear of unexpected secondary charges, provided they verify their specific plan's allowed amount prior to scheduling.