Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Hamilton County Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $45
- Cash Discount Price: $50
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 11.39x 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 1139% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 1039%). 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 | $4 - $8 | 101% |
| First Health Coventry - All Plans | $42 | 1063% |
| Cigna | $47 | 1190% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $47 | 1190% |
| Va Ccn - All Plans | $50 | 1266% |
| Aetna | $85 | 2152% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood urea nitrogen (BUN) test at Hamilton County Hospital in Syracuse, KS, the cash price is $50.00, which matches the facility's negotiated rate with most major payers. While the median negotiated rate across all payers is $45.00, the cash price remains the lowest option available for this service. It is important to note that for patients with high-deductible plans, paying the cash price of $50.00 upfront can be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's negotiated rate of $47.00 may still exceed the cash price after deductibles are applied. Additionally, patients should inquire directly with the hospital about "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full within a short window, effectively lowering the cost below the standard cash rate.
When evaluating the value of this service, it is helpful to compare the facility's pricing against the Medicare benchmark, which stands at $3.95 for this procedure. The facility's cash rate of $50.00 represents a significant markup over the Medicare amount, a common practice in commercial healthcare pricing. However, this markup is standard for out-of-network or self-pay scenarios and does not reflect the actual cost to the provider. To ensure you are not overcharged, we recommend requesting a detailed, itemized bill to verify that no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included, as over 80% of hospital bills contain errors. Finally, if you have insurance, confirm your deductible status before scheduling, as paying the full negotiated rate of $47.00 may not be covered