Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Stevens County Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $44
- Cash Discount Price: $86
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 2.62x 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 262% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 162%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aetna | $14 - $86 | 83% |
| Humana | $32 | 190% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $42 - $44 | 250% |
| First Health - All Plans | $77 | 458% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $82 | 488% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $86 | 512% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the CPT code 84443, representing a blood test for thyroid function (TSH), Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton, KS, lists a cash price of $86.00. This cash rate is identical to the facility's gross chargemaster price and matches the median amount paid by Medicaid/KanCare. While the facility's negotiated rates vary by insurer—ranging from $32 for Humana to $86 for Aetna—the cash price remains the lowest fixed amount available. Patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance may find paying the full $86.00 upfront more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as commercial negotiated rates often exceed the cash price due to administrative overhead and contract structures. To secure the lowest possible cost, patients should explicitly request a "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discount at the time of scheduling, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%.
When evaluating the value of this service, it is important to compare the facility's rates against the Medicare benchmark rather than the inflated chargemaster list. The Medicare allowed amount for this procedure is $16.80, which serves as the objective baseline for fair pricing; the facility's cash rate of $86.00 represents a significant markup above this federal standard. Although the data does not provide specific state or county average figures for this exact code, the facility operates as a Critical Access Hospital with government-local ownership, which often influences pricing dynamics. Consumers should be aware that balance billing is generally prohibited for emergency care and non-emergency services at in-network facilities under the No Surprises Act, meaning patients should not expect