Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Great Plains Of Sabetha
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $70
- Cash Discount Price: $74
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 4.17x 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 417% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 317%). 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Celtic Mcr Adv | $38 | 226% |
| Aetna | $39 - $75 | 232% |
| Celtic Comm Exchange-All Other Plans | $48 | 286% |
| Great West Healthcare-All Plans | $63 | 375% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $69 - $74 | 411% |
| Cigna | $70 | 417% |
| Multiplan-Phcs-All Plans | $70 | 417% |
| Century/Wppa/Providers-All Plans | $70 | 417% |
| Humana | $70 | 417% |
| Federated Mutual Ins-All Plans | $71 | 423% |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield | $74 | 440% |
| Medicaid / KanCare | $74 | 440% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the thyroid blood test (CPT 84443) at Great Plains of Sabetha, a Critical Access Hospital in Kansas, the cash median price is $74.00, which matches the facility's gross charge. This cash rate is notably higher than the state average for this procedure, which is $67.00. While commercial insurance plans like Aetna and UnitedHealthcare negotiate rates ranging from $38 to $75, these negotiated amounts often exceed the cash price due to administrative costs and contract structures. Patients with high-deductible plans may find it financially advantageous to pay the cash price of $74.00 directly, as this avoids the potential for higher negotiated rates that insurers charge when claims are processed.
To ensure you are receiving the most accurate pricing, it is essential to request an itemized bill before finalizing payment, as summary bills can obscure individual code costs and potential errors. If you choose to pay out-of-pocket, ask the billing department about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the total cost by offering immediate liquidity incentives. Additionally, while Medicare sets a benchmark of $16.80 for this service, commercial rates are typically higher to cover provider work and practice expenses. Always verify your specific plan's deductible status and allowed amounts with the hospital prior to scheduling to avoid unexpected balance billing or surprise charges.