Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Logan County Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $34
- Cash Discount Price: $10
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.61x 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 861% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 761%). 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 | $8 | 203% |
| Humana | $21 | 532% |
| Health Partners - All Plans | $48 | 1215% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $50 | 1266% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure at Logan County Hospital in Oakley, Kansas, the facility's cash price of $10.00 is significantly lower than the state average of $34.00. While the hospital's negotiated rate with insurance payers like Blue Cross Blue Shield and Humana is $34.00, patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price directly, as the insurance negotiated rate exceeds the cash amount. Given that the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should proactively contact the billing department to confirm if "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts are available before scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can further reduce the final cost.
It is important to note that while the Medicare benchmark for this service is $3.95, commercial rates often exceed this baseline due to administrative costs and contract structures. If you choose to use insurance, be aware that balance billing could occur if the provider bills the difference between the full chargemaster rate and the insurance allowed amount, though the No Surprises Act protects patients from such unexpected bills for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities. To ensure accuracy and avoid errors, always request a detailed, itemized bill that lists specific CPT codes rather than accepting a summary invoice, as over 80% of hospital bills contain discrepancies that can be resolved through a formal audit.