Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Clara Barton Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $145
- Cash Discount Price: $113
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 8.63x 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 863% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 763%). 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% |
| 6 Degrees Health - All Plans | $113 | 673% |
| Wppa-All Plans | $129 | 768% |
| Phcs - All Plans | $145 | 863% |
| Aetna | $145 | 863% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $145 | 863% |
| Hlth Partners Of Ks-All Plans | $148 | 881% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Clara Barton Hospital in Hoisington, KS, the facility's negotiated rates range from $44 to $145 depending on your specific insurance plan, while the cash price is $113. This cash rate is notably lower than the facility's median negotiated rate of $145, which aligns with the state average for this service. If you have a high-deductible plan or are self-pay, paying the cash price of $113 upfront may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, which could result in a higher allowed amount after deductibles and copays. Patients should explicitly ask the hospital about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before scheduling, as these upfront fee reductions can significantly lower the final bill by bypassing administrative claim processing costs.
It is important to understand that commercial insurance rates are often higher than cash prices due to the administrative load of claims processing and contract dynamics, even though they serve as a ceiling to prevent balance billing for in-network services. The facility's Medicare benchmark rate of $16.80 highlights that commercial negotiated rates are substantially marked up above the federal baseline, which represents the true cost of care delivery. To ensure you are not overcharged, always request a full itemized bill before paying, as summary bills can obscure individual line items and potential errors. If you receive a bill that exceeds your insurance allowed amount, you have the right to dispute it in writing and request a review under federal protections, ensuring you only pay for services rendered at the agreed-upon rate.