Blood test, thyroid (TSH)
Facility: Hiawatha Community Hospital
Billing Code: 84443 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84443
- Insurance Median: $132
- Cash Discount Price: $170
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 7.86x 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 786% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 686%). 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 | $42 - $44 | 250% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $63 - $146 | 375% |
| Aetna | $63 - $137 | 375% |
| Humana | $64 | 381% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $75 | 446% |
| Centrus Health Direct - All Plans | $128 | 762% |
| Oscar - All Plans | $128 | 762% |
| Preferred Hlth - All Plans | $153 | 911% |
| Cigna | $162 | 964% |
| Wppa Providrs Care - All Plans | $162 | 964% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $165 | 982% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $165 | 982% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid - All Plans | $170 | 1012% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test, thyroid (TSH) procedure at Hiawatha Community Hospital, the cash price is $170.00, which matches the facility's gross charge and the median cash rate. While the hospital's negotiated rates range from $42 to $170 depending on the insurance plan, the cash price is notably higher than the median negotiated rate of $132.00 and the median paid amount of $128.00. This suggests that for patients with high-deductible plans or those without insurance, paying cash directly may be more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the insurer's allowed amount often exceeds the cash price. However, patients should verify if their specific plan has a lower negotiated rate before scheduling, as some carriers like Blue Cross Blue Shield have a low end of $42, while others like Cigna or Multiplan charge the full $165.
It is important to note that the facility's cash rate of $170.00 is 7.9% higher than the Medicare benchmark of $16.80, indicating a markup relative to the federal cost baseline. Since Medicare rates represent a scientifically validated cost standard, comparing your commercial rate to this figure rather than the hospital's inflated chargemaster list can reveal the true cost of care. Additionally, because the facility is a Critical Access Hospital in Hiawatha, KS, you should explicitly ask about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts before check-in, as these upfront payment incentives can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50%. If you receive a bill after insurance submission, ensure it is an itemized statement to avoid balance billing for