Blood test, urea nitrogen (BUN, kidney)
Facility: Hiawatha Community Hospital
Billing Code: 84520 (CPT)
- CPT Billing Code: 84520
- Insurance Median: $37
- Cash Discount Price: $50
- vs. Medicare Baseline: 9.37x 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 937% of the Medicare baseline (a markup of 837%). 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 | $8 | 203% |
| Aetna | $15 - $48 | 380% |
| UnitedHealthcare | $15 - $51 | 380% |
| Humana | $15 - $22 | 380% |
| Ambetter / Centene | $18 - $26 | 456% |
| Oscar - All Plans | $30 - $44 | 759% |
| Centrus Health Direct - All Plans | $30 - $44 | 759% |
| Preferred Hlth - All Plans | $36 - $53 | 911% |
| Wppa Providrs Care - All Plans | $38 - $56 | 962% |
| Cigna | $38 - $56 | 962% |
| Multiplan - All Plans | $39 - $57 | 987% |
| Midlands Choice - All Plans | $39 - $57 | 987% |
| Healthy Blue Mcaid - All Plans | $40 - $59 | 1013% |
Consumer Guidance & Cost Commentary
For the blood test for urea nitrogen (BUN) at Hiawatha Community Hospital in Hiawatha, KS, the cash price is $50.00, which matches the facility's median negotiated rate of $37.00 and the state average. This service is billed under CPT code 84520, and while the facility is a Critical Access Hospital owned by a voluntary non-profit, the cash price remains consistent with the national median for this procedure. Patients should note that the facility's negotiated rate of $37.00 is higher than the Medicare benchmark of $3.95, reflecting the standard administrative markup and contract dynamics that often inflate commercial rates above the federal baseline.
When considering payment options, patients with high-deductible plans might find that paying the full cash price of $50.00 upfront is more cost-effective than relying on insurance, as the negotiated rate of $37.00 often exceeds the cash price for certain services. To minimize costs, it is advisable to contact the hospital directly to inquire about "self-pay" or "prompt-pay" discounts, which can reduce the final bill by 20% to 50% if paid in full before or shortly after the service. Additionally, since over 80% of hospital bills contain errors, patients should request a detailed, itemized statement rather than accepting a summary bill, ensuring they can identify any unbundled codes or services not rendered before finalizing payment.