Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Stevens County Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $25
- Cash Discount Price: $65
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 6.33x 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 633% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 533%). 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 | $3 - $65 | 76% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $8 | 203% |
| Humana | $24 | 608% |
| First Health - All Plans | $58 | 1468% |
| Wppa - All Plans | $62 | 1570% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $65 | 1646% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For this blood test procedure at Stevens County Hospital in Hugoton, Kansas, the cash price is $65.00, which matches the facility's gross chargemaster rate. While the hospital is a Critical Access Hospital owned by the local government, patients should be aware that paying cash upfront often results in a lower total cost than using insurance, especially if you have a high deductible. Although the facility offers a negotiated rate of $25.00 for in-network plans, this amount is significantly higher than the cash price and may not be cost-effective if your insurance deductible has not yet been met. To potentially save money, you should contact the hospital directly to confirm if they offer a "prompt-pay" discount for self-pay patients who settle the bill immediately, as these discounts can reduce the final amount owed.
When evaluating the cost of this service, it is important to compare rates against federal benchmarks rather than the hospital's full list price. The Medicare reimbursement rate for this code is $3.95, which serves as a scientifically validated baseline for the true cost of care. The facility's cash price of $65.00 represents a substantial markup over the Medicare rate, illustrating how commercial pricing structures can differ significantly from government-set standards. Additionally, while the data shows a wide range of negotiated rates among payers (from $3 to $65), the median negotiated rate of $25.00 is still higher than the cash option. Consumers should avoid balance billing surprises by ensuring the facility is in-network for your plan, but remember that the lowest price is often found by paying out-of-pocket if your insurance coverage does not provide immediate financial relief.