Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Logan County Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $103
- Cash Discount Price: $30
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.13x 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 613% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 513%). 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% |
| Humana | $64 | 381% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $142 | 845% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $150 | 893% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this thyroid blood test at Logan County Hospital in Oakley, Kansas, the facility's negotiated rate is $103, which aligns with the median paid amount across all four payers listed. This rate is significantly higher than the Medicare benchmark of $16.80, reflecting the standard administrative markup and contract dynamics inherent in commercial insurance billing. While the facility is a Critical Access Hospital with government local ownership, the negotiated price remains well above the Medicare baseline, illustrating how commercial contracts often exceed the federal cost basis. Patients should note that the cash price of $30 is substantially lower than the insurance negotiated rate, meaning paying out-of-pocket could result in significant savings if your deductible has not yet been met or if your plan has a high deductible.
To maximize potential savings, it is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% for upfront payments. Since the cash price is already lower than the insurance allowed amount, requesting a waiver of insurance submission before scheduling the test can prevent the facility from submitting a claim that would void any cash discount agreement. Additionally, because over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, patients should request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary bill, ensuring that no unbundled codes or services not rendered are included in the final charge.