Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Graham County Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $69
- Cash Discount Price: $89
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.11x 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 411% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 311%). 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 | $14 - $89 | 83% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $25 | 149% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $44 | 262% |
| Medicare (plans) | $63 - $70 | 375% |
| Celtic Commercial-All Other Plans | $69 - $78 | 411% |
| Wppa (Providers Care)-All Plans | $80 - $89 | 476% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, thyroid (TSH) procedure at Graham County Hospital in Hill City, KS, the cash price is $89.00, which matches the facility's highest negotiated rate with UnitedHealthcare. While the median amount paid by insurance plans is $71.00, patients with high-deductible plans might find paying the full cash price of $89.00 more affordable if their insurance negotiated rate exceeds this amount. It is important to note that the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, and while the data does not provide a specific state or county average for comparison, the cash rate represents the baseline cost for self-pay patients.
Commercial insurance rates for this service vary significantly across payers, ranging from a low of $14.00 with UnitedHealthcare to a high of $89.00 with the same carrier. The median negotiated rate across all payers is $69.00, which is lower than the cash price but may still result in out-of-pocket costs depending on the patient's deductible status. Since Medicare allows a payment of only $16.80 for this code, commercial rates are substantially higher, reflecting the administrative costs and contract dynamics inherent in private insurance billing. Patients should verify their specific plan's allowed amount before scheduling and consider requesting a prompt-pay discount if they choose to pay directly.